«You’re in the way,» said the sister, and stopped answering the phone.
«You’re in the way,» Emily said sharply into the receiver, and Sophie felt a chill run down her spine. «We want to live our own lives, do you understand?»
«Em, but I» Sophie began, but her sister cut her off.
«Don’t call me ‘Em.’ I’m forty-five, Ive got my own family, my own life. And youre always on the phone, complaining, asking for this and that.»
«But were sisters!» Sophies voice trembled. «Weve always helped each other.»
«Helped?» Emily scoffed. «Who helped whom, Id like to know? Where were you when David and I were having problems? When Jack ended up in hospital, did you even visit once?»
Sophie gripped the phone tighter. A lump rose in her throat.
«I was working, you know that. And besides, I had my own»
«You, you, you!» Emily snapped. «It’s always something with you. Your blood pressure, your nerves, your awful neighbours. But when other people have problems, you’re suddenly too busy.»
Sophie sank onto the old sofa and closed her eyes. Tears trailed down her cheeks.
«Em, why are you being like this? Were family.»
«Family, yes. But that doesnt mean I have to listen to your whinging every single day. Ive got enough on my plate.»
«Fine, I know I can be… a bit much sometimes. But right now, I really need help. After the divorce, I»
«Enough!» Emily cut in. «You divorced a year ago, and youre still moaning about it. Dont you have anything else to talk about? Anything besides your misery?»
Something inside Sophie snapped. Forty-two years theyd been not just sisters, but best friends. Emily was three years younger, but she had always seemed stronger, more decisive. Since childhood, Sophie had run to her with every problem.
«Em, please dont be angry. Ill call less, just dont talk to me like this.»
«Dont call less. Dont call at all,» Emily said coldly. «I need space. We all do.»
«What do you mean, ‘we all’?»
«Davids sick of your calls too. The kids say Aunt Sophies always crying down the phone.»
That hurt the most. Jack and Lily, the niece and nephew she adored, the ones she bought gifts for every birthday, the ones she baked cakes for, driving across town just to see them smile.
«The kids said that?»
«Yes. Last night, Jack asked me straight out, ‘Mum, why is Aunt Sophie always sad? Did something happen to her?'»
Sophie bit her lip. She had cried during calls before. But was that so wrong? Wasnt she allowed to be vulnerable with her own sister?
«I never meant to upset them.»
«But you do. And not just them. Were all tired, Sophie. Tired of your depression, your endless problems, the fact you cant pull yourself together.»
«But Im trying! I started a new job, Im seeing a therapist»
«And you tell me about it every day. How hard work is, how expensive therapy is, how lonely you feel at night. Sophie, Ive had enough!»
Silence filled the line. Sophie could hear music and laughter in the background at Emilys house. Life went on, while she sat alone in her tiny flat, fighting back sobs.
«Alright,» she whispered. «I understand.»
«What do you understand?»
«That Im in your way. That Im a terrible sister. That youre all sick of me.»
«Sophie, dont turn this into a drama. We just need some space.»
«How much space? A week? A month? A year?»
Emily hesitated.
«I dont know. Until you learn to deal with your problems on your own.»
«And if I never learn? If I always need my family?»
«Then find support somewhere else. Friends, maybe.»
Friends. What a joke. After the divorce, her friends had vanished. Turns out, theyd only been friends with the couple, not her. And making new friends in your forties? Nearly impossible.
«I dont have friends, Em. Ive only got you.»
«Well, its time you made some. Or see your therapist more often. Youre paying for it, after all.»
Anger mixed with the pain. Did Emily really not understand?
«A therapist cant replace family.»
«And family isnt your personal crying rag.»
Sophie hung up. Her hands shook, her heart pounded. Shed never been the one to end a call first.
The phone rang immediately. Emilys number flashed on the screen. Sophie stared, unable to answer. The calls stopped. Then a text appeared:
«Dont take it the wrong way. Im telling the truth. You need to learn to stand on your own feet.»
Sophie deleted it without replying.
The evening dragged. Normally, shed call Emily, chat about her day, discuss TV shows, make weekend plans. Now, the flat was silent.
She tried reading, but the words blurred. The telly was just noise. She went to bed early, but sleep wouldnt come. Thoughts spun between anger, shame, and loneliness.
Morning brought puffy eyes and a heavy head. At work, colleagues asked if she was alright. «Just a bad night,» she lied.
At lunch, she nearly dialled Emilys numberto talk about her new project, to vent about a rude client. Then she remembered yesterday and put the phone away.
The workday ended. On the bus, Sophie watched strangers rushing about. Everyone had their own lives, their own joys and sorrows. And her? An empty flat, a telly, and the crushing thought that no one needed her.
At home, she decided to cook something nice. Maybe that would help. She gathered ingredients, turned on music. But halfway through, she realisedshe was cooking for one. No one to share it with.
Tears threatened again.
The phone stayed silent. Emily didnt call.
The next day, Sophie tried calling her. Maybe shed cooled off. She hesitated, dialled, hung up. Finally, she pressed call.
Ringing. Endless ringing. Then voicemail.
«Hi, this is Emily. Leave a message.»
Sophie hung up. Maybe Emily was busy. She tried an hour later. Voicemail again. And two hours after that.
By evening, it was clearEmily wasnt picking up.
Sophie texted: «Em, lets talk. I dont want to fight.»
No reply.
The next day, she called from work. Maybe Emily wouldnt recognise the number.
«Hello?»
Click. Emily had hung up the second she heard Sophies voice.
It hurt. Badly.
She tried David next. Perhaps hed explain, help fix things. But he didnt answer either.
A week passed. Then two. Every day, Sophie checked her phone, hoping for a missed call, a text. Nothing.
She tried to focus on herself. Signed up for Spanish classes, joined a gym. Bought new clothes. But none of it brought joy. She had no one to share her small victories with.
Ten new words learnedno one to tell. Lost two kilosno one to celebrate with. Got a bonus at workno one to toast with.
Sophie realised Emily hadnt just been her sister. Shed been the centre of her world. Every event, every feeling, every plan had revolved around their bond. Now, without it, there was just emptiness.
Maybe Emily was right? Maybe she had relied on her too much? But was it so wrong to be close to your own sister?
A month later, Sophie bumped into Lily, her niece. The girl was fourteen now, taller, nearly grown.
«Aunt Sophie!» Lily grinned. «Hi!»
«Lily, sweetheart.» Sophie hugged her. «How are you? Hows school?»
«Alright. Why dont you visit anymore? Mum said you two had a fight.»
Sophies heart clenched.
«What exactly did she say?»
Lily hesitated.
«Well… that you were really upset about Uncle Mark. That you needed time to get over it.»
So that was Emilys version. That Sophie had chosen to distance herself.
«Lily, do you miss me?»
«Course I do! Youre the best aunt. And I love your pancakes.»
Tears welled up again.
«I miss you too. And Jack.»
«Aunt Sophie, should I tell Mum I saw you? Maybe shell call?»
«Dont, sweetheart. Shell call when shes ready.»
Lily nodded, though she clearly didnt understand adult problems.
«Okay. But dont be sad, alright? And if you wantcall me. Ive got my own phone now.»
Lily recited her number, and Sophie saved it. At least one thread to Emilys family remained.
After that, Sophie made a decision. If Emily thought she was too needy, shed prove her wrong. Shed show she could live without leaning on her sister.
She made an effort to socialise. Chatted with Margaret, the neighbour shed always dismissed as a nosy gossip. Turned out, Margaret was just lonely.
At work, Sophie joined colleagues for drinks, things shed skipped before. Made friends in other departments. They invited her to the theatre, exhibitions.
Life slowly improved. But Emilys absence still ached.
Two months after the fight, Sophie took a risk. She went to Emilys house. Stood outside, watching the lit windows. Her family was in thereEmily, David, the kids. Eating dinner, watching telly, sharing their day.
And she was outside, a stranger.
Sophie pressed the buzzer.
«Yeah?» Davids voice crackled.
«David, its Sophie. Can I come up?»
A long pause.
«Sophie, nows not really»
«Please. I need to talk to Em. Just five minutes.»
«She doesnt want to talk.»
«Dave, please. Im not some enemy. Im her sister.»
More silence. Muffled voices arguing.
«Alright. Come up. But make it quick.»
Sophie climbed the familiar stairs, heart pounding. How many times had she run up these steps? With birthday cakes, Christmas presents, just to visit.
David opened the door. He looked awkward, avoiding eye contact.
«Come in,» he muttered.
Sophie hung her coat and stepped into the living room. Emily sat on the sofa, arms crossed. Her face was stone.
«What do you want?» she said coldly.
«To talk. To make things right.»
«I thought we already did.»
Sophie sat opposite her. David lingered by the door, uncomfortable.
«Em, you were right. I did rely on you too much. I complained too much, asked too much.»
Emilys expression softened slightly, but she stayed guarded.
«And?»
«And Ive changed. Ive got new friends, new interests. Im handling things on my own now.»
«Thats good,» Emily nodded. «Im happy for you.»
«But I still miss you. Not as a shoulder to cry on. As my sister. My best friend.»
Emily looked down.
«Sophie, I miss you too. But Im scared itll go back to how it was.»
«It wont. I promise. I wont call every day, wont dump my problems on you. Lets just be sisters again. Like before.»
Emily thought for a long moment.
«And if you start crying down the phone again?»
«Then you can tell me. And Ill understand.»
Emily sighed, uncrossing her arms.
«Alright. Well try.»
The weight lifted.
«Thanks, Em.»
«Just dont call me ‘Em’,» Emily said sternlybut there was a hint of a smile.
They hugged. Tight, real. And Sophie understoodfamily wasnt just about support. It was about giving each other room to grow.
Sometimes, you had to nearly lose the person closest to you to learn how to love them right.
