Chapter 26: Fifteenth

“Cia, did you like your birthday?”

“Absolutely! I love the outfit you bought for me, I can’t wait to try it on.”

“Cia, I want say some things to you. I hope you won’t be upset.”

“Go ahead, please!”

“Four years ago, my former mother called you a bastard.”

“She did, I remember. But, not long after that, you and I started living together.”

“Exactly. It feels like my life really started that year, after I moved in with you. I just wanted to say, ‘thank you,’ Cia.”

“Oh, quit it. You’re my sister now, I love you. So what’s REALLY on your mind?”

“There’s something we can’t be together on, and I feel bad about it.”

“What, Casey?”

“Boys. You’re interested in them. I’m afraid of them. And you know why.”

“Oh, no. Casey, I understand. Have I been making you uncomfortable?”

“No, not at all. And that’s the problem. You should be hanging out with guys, maybe even having a boyfriend. Some girls our age are even having sex.”

“None of that applies to me, Casey.”

“And that’s the problem. I feel like an anchor, dragging you down. It’s not fair to you, to be stuck hanging around with me and my issues, instead of being social, flirting, things like that.

“Your life should not be limited by my mental problems.”

“CASEY! Don’t say that! Oh, Oh!”

Cia was weeping. Diego came rushing in.

“What happened? Cia, are you alright?”

“She’s OK, Dad, just upset. It was my fault.”

“Casey, SHUT UP!”

“I don’t understand. Is somebody bullying you?”

“No, Dad, Casey said something very upsetting.”

“Oh. Can I help? Or is this girl stuff?”

“Dad. No. Um, I need all of you, let’s talk after dinner, please.”

Conference

After the dinner dishes were cleared off, Cia asked for everyone’s attention.

“Dad caught me crying this afternoon, because I was frustrated and upset. By my sister. She said she was holding me back, that I should be out freely interacting with boys, not inhibited like she is.

“Because of her past, she doesn’t want or like any interest from boys. And time I spend with her is time restricting my social life.

“She told me, ‘your life should not be limited by my mental problems.’”

Cia was weeping again. “Mental Problems! Mental Problems!”

Diego said, “So that I understand: Casey thinks she has mental problems, and blames them (and herself) for limiting your social life, that is, with guys. Is that right?”

Casey said, “That’s right, Dad. And it’s true. Cia is beautiful, and boys are attracted, but she doesn’t respond to them, for fear of upsetting me. If I wasn’t around, she could be dancing, and dating, maybe even have a particular boyfriend. But because I can’t, she doesn’t, and it’s wrong.