Angelina

(Part 1 of “Sweater Weather.” A short story about family secrets, and a sweater.)

Angeline sat in her bedroom, sipping Makers with a splash of Coke. It was a tradition she shared with her father at the end of the week. She missed him. His loud laugh and gregarious personality gained him many friends, and as she would soon find out, much more.

Her mind reeled from the chaos of the last three weeks. No longer restraining her inner monologue, she whispered, “Dad, I’m sorry I wasn’t there. I’m sorry I was busy. I’m so sorry!”

Doc, as she called him, passed quietly in the night a week earlier. And yesterday, they honored his life with friends they knew, and some they didn’t. Angelina and her sisters had learned a lot about their father in the days leading up to the funeral, including secrets they had never known. A tear splashed into her mixed drink. Her spirit was now watered down, and also a bit salty.

She was angry with her sisters. Alicia and Katie were younger, and didn’t carry the weight of responsibility like their older sister. 

“Why weren’t they there? I don’t ask much. Just one night with Doc. That’s all I asked.”

Her hands flailed in frustration and bourbon and Coke splashed onto her blue sweater. It was a Christmas gift from Doc.

“Great! That’s all I need.” Angelina grabbed a washcloth from the bathroom to dab drops of her drink from her sweater. She had plans with her sisters for dinner. They had a lot to talk about.

(to be continued)

Angelina (Part 1 of 8)