The Bad Twin

by Shelia Goss

“Amber. Thank you,” the flight attendant said.

  Rose handed the pad to the flight attendant. Not wanting to be bothered again, she reclined her seat and slept the majority of the trip to the Shreveport, Louisiana Regional Airport. Rose was still asleep when she felt a tap on her shoulder. As she stretched, the flight attendant informed her, “Ma’am. We’re about to descend, so we need all of the passengers to let their seats up and fasten their seatbelts.”

  Once they landed, she went to locate her bags. Her mother and her mother’s older sister, Aunt Mae, greeted her. “Come let me look at you,” Pearle said. “You ain’t no bigger than a pole.” Pearle gave her a tight squeeze.

  People were noticing the exchange and some began pointing because they recognized Rose.

  Rose turned around to face her aunt. “Hi, Aunt Mae.”

  “Hi, yourself. You forgot all about your people.” She hugged and kissed her on the cheek.

  “Come on,” Rose said as she looped one arm between Pearle’s arm and the other between her Aunt Mae’s arm. “He’ll follow us to the car with my bags.”

  Aunt Mae looked at her bags. “Child, you must be moving back to Shreveport with all of these bags.”

  Pearle and Aunt Mae filled her in on what was going on in the neighborhood as they rode to Pearle’s house. They mentioned how the crime rate had increased with the so-called gangs in the city. They also mentioned how the economy was better in Shreveport than in most places, because the five riverboat casinos offered the community jobs and had visitors from all over the country spending millions of dollars on the boats, at the Boardwalk downtown and in the surrounding area.

  Rose observed the area as they got closer to her old neighborhood. Pearle lived on the outskirts of the city. Houses were built in areas that were once nothing but open fields. Pearle still lived in the same house her and Violet grew up in, a two-story brownish-red brick home with a huge front and backyard and surrounded by plenty of colorful flowers. Maybe because of all of the land, the yard seemed like a forest as a little girl growing up. Her parents owned a landscaping business, so they were always experimenting with new plants. They needed extra land for horticulture. The other houses were either one or two-story, but didn’t have much land surrounding them.

  Rose couldn’t wait to get out of the car. As soon as the car stopped, she hopped out and inhaled the fresh air. “I sure have missed this place.”

  Both Pearle and her Aunt Mae had a funny look on their faces as they listened to her. Pearle reached down for one of her bags and said, “Let me help you with some of this.”

  “No. I got it. These are too heavy for you.”

  “I may be old, but I still have my strength,” Pearle exclaimed, while reaching down to grab the small carry on bag.

  There was a sense of peace when Rose walked through the door. She felt like a teenager who’d returned home from her first semester in college. When she walked through her old bedroom door, she saw her favorite stuffed teddy bear on the bed, it was still pink, but a little faded. A wave of emotions took over. She had to keep her feelings in check, because she didn’t want to scare Pearle or Aunt Mae. The room was still as she remembered it. The paint looked fresh. It was a pretty pink. The pink floral curtains matched the pink floral comforter on the twin bed. Her dresser was white and some of the photos she had cut out of magazines were still taped to the mirror. A smile was plastered on her face.

  Once they left her alone to freshen up, she regretted it had taken her so long to visit. But things weren’t the same here, without her dad being around.

  ***

  How could I have stayed away so long? I’ve had some good times here. The only thing that’s missing is Dad. I wonder if he would still be proud to have me as his daughter.

  ***

  Rose sat on the bed and fluffed up her goose feather stuffed pillow and declared, “Too many memories.”

  When she walked downstairs, the aroma of fried chicken and cake greeted her. It smelled like a pound cake, which was her favorite dessert. Pearle would make pound cake with the glazed icing dripping down the sides.

  She overheard Pearle and Aunt Mae talking when she approached the kitchen door. Aunt Mae was speaking low, but she was able to understand some of what she said. “Pearle, I told you, she would be the one to give you trouble. I don’t blame Violet. I wouldn’t want to deal with her either.”

  “I don’t think Rose realizes some of the things she does or why she does it. She has a good heart, but she just goes about doing things the wrong way.”

  “I’ll say. I told you she was envious of Violet, but you and Louis would not listen to me. Now those girls are grown and acting like children. I tell you. I’m glad Louis is not around to see this.”

  Pearle was the first to realize Rose was standing within ear shot. “Oh dear. I thought you would be taking a nap. Sit down. I will be through fixing everything here shortly.”

  Rose acted as if she didn’t hear anything and took a seat. “I wasn’t sleepy. I slept on the plane and the excitement of being back home has me wide awake.”

  Aunt Mae stood up, picked up her purse and said, “I’m on my way to the house. Your cousins want to know when would be a best time to stop by. I told them to give you at least a day to get settled in.”

  “Thanks, Aunt Mae. I’ll make sure I see everyone before I leave.”

  Pearle wiped her hands on her floral ruffled worn apron. “Dear, by chance do you know how long you’re staying with me this time?”

  “I’ve cleared my schedule for a week. So you’re stuck with me for at least a week.”

  Her Aunt Mae held her hands up in the air and walked out the kitchen door.

  Rose spoke, “Not to be disrespectful, but what is her problem?”

  “Rose. Shh. That’s your Aunt and she’s still your elder.”

  “I don’t think Aunt Mae ever liked me. She always seemed to be more partial to Violet,” Rose stated, as she took a banana off the table and ate it.

  Pearle in a disagreeing voice replied, “None of us had favorites. We tried to treat both of you girls the same.”

  Rose ate the rest of her banana in silence. While Pearle finished putting the final touches on dinner, the doorbell chimed. Rose looked up at Pearle and asked, “Were you expecting anyone?”

  “Yes. Please get the door for me.”

  49

  VIOLET

  I can’t wait to see Mama. Coming home once a year is just not enough. I love the outdoors. I love the smell of all the fresh flowers. Even the cab ride over wasn’t as much as I thought it was going to be. The cost of living here is sure better than most places, especially California. She must be in the kitchen. I think I’ll walk around to the back.

  ***

  Violet walked around to the side door connected to the kitchen and knocked. Pearle opened the door. Violet threw her bags down and hugged her. “Hi Mom.”

  “Hey baby. I’m so glad you could come.”

  As they were hugging, she heard Rose say, “Mom, I went to the door, but when I opened it, no one was there.”

  Violet turned around toward the sound of the voice and Rose entered the room at the same time and their eyes locked. They had a look of shock on their faces. Pearle acted as if she was the happiest woman on earth. She said, “Both of my babies are here.”

  Rose was the first twin to speak. “Hi Violet. It’s good to see you.”

  Violet didn’t want to make a scene in front of Pearle, so she simply ignored Rose. “Hi. Mom. I think I’m going to go unpack my things and I’ll be back.”

  “That can wait,” Pearle said in a displeased voice. “I just finished dinner. Go put your bags up and come back down. Rose, help your sister with her bags.”

  Rose reached out to grab one of her bags, and Violet put her hand up. “That won’t be necessary.”

  Rose insisted, “Nonsense. I got it.” Rose took one of the bags and waltzed up the stairs.

  Violet looked over at Pearle and before walking out the
door said, “We need to talk. What is she doing here?”

  Pearle shrugged her shoulders as if she had no clue to what was going on.

  Violet questioned herself out loud. “What have I walked into?”

  Violet headed to her old room. When she walked in Rose was placing her bag on the bed. “You really do look great Violet.”

  “Thanks. Thanks for bringing my bag up.”

  “You’re quite welcome.”

  They both stood there in silence until their mom yelled for them to come back downstairs to eat. “Feels like old times huh?” Rose asked.

  Violet managed a small laugh at her comment.

  Over dinner, their mom tried to pull each one of them into a conversation by asking specific questions about the different things she knew was going on in their lives. “Violet, how is your project coming along?”

  Violet left out the fact that the developer was David, especially since Rose was there. “They should be through building it within a two month period and I’ve already started the application screening. That is what takes up most of my days. The second phase is to do the interviewing. I have a couple of people on staff and we’ll go from there.”

  Pearle reached out and squeezed her hand. “I’m so proud of you baby.”

  Violet blushed. “Thanks Mom.”

  “I’m going to retire early tonight. I got up early anticipating your visit. Can you girls clean up for me?”

  They both stood up to help her out of her seat. “I’m fine. Just take care of the dishes okay,” Pearle said.

  They responded in unison. “Yes. Mom.”

  Violet looked over at Rose and asked, “You want to wash or dry?”

  “I’ll dry.”

  “It figures,” Violet said under her breath.

  Rose didn’t say anything to her smart response.

  As Rose was drying the last dish, she said, “You know. We can’t go the whole weekend not saying anything to each other. I don’t know about you, but this is not going to work.”

  Violet wiped her hands and threw down the towel. “I came to see Mama. I had no idea you were going to be here or else I would have come another time.”

  Rose kindly stated, “Apparently we were the only two who didn’t know, so I suggest we try to make the best of it.”

  “First of all, you don’t tell me what to do. I’m not one of your flunkies. I’ll do whatever it takes to cause the least amount of stress for Mom.”

  “Violet,” Rose said as she put up the dishes. “I don’t want to argue with you. All I’m saying is that we should at least try to get along for a weekend.”

  Violet got ready to leave the room. “Sure. But I’ll be here all week.”

  As she was walking out, she heard Rose blurt out, “So will I.”

  Violet went by Pearle’s room and knocked. “Are you still awake?”

  She heard a faint yes and walked in. Pearle was sitting up in bed reading her Bible. “You girls through with the kitchen?”

  She walked over and sat on the foot of the bed. “Yes. I had a question.”

  Pearle placed her Bible on the nightstand by the bed and took off her reading glasses. “I already know what you want to talk about. I’m sorry about tricking you girls, but I couldn’t see any other way to get you in the same place.”

  “Mama, I told you I can’t allow Rose back into my life. She has hurt me one too many times.”

  “You need to get over it. It has been ten years since you’ve guys have had any face-to-face contact. I know about the birthday and Christmas cards so don’t even try to mention that.”

  Violet began to feel like a little girl. “But Mama.”

  “But Mama nothing. When I’m gone, the only thing you girls will have is each other. You need to stop this childishness and go make up with your sister.”

  Violet didn’t understand why she was the one being scolded, since she wasn’t the reason for the mess. “It’s not my fault. I’ve tried and each time I forgive her, she hurts me again and again.”

  Pearle reached on her nightstand and picked up her Bible and held it up. “You see this? This is why you should forgive her and make things right.”

  Violet held her head down. “I just can’t. I can’t put myself through it again. Why do I always have to be the one to make things right?”

  “I will drop it for now, but I do want you to sleep on this. Ask yourself how many times have you sinned and gone to the Father for forgiveness? How many times has he forgiven you for your transgressions? How can we expect Our Father in Heaven to forgive us, when we have not shown forgiveness towards one another?”

  Violet hugged Pearle good night and walked out of the room feeling like the weight of the world was on her shoulders. When she passed by Rose’s old room, she paused for a moment, but kept on walking. She changed into her satin red oriental print nightgown, got underneath a pretty floral comforter and went to sleep.

  50

  ROSE

  Rose woke up the next morning to the smell of freshly brewed coffee. She rushed to the bathroom to wash her face.

  Afterwards, she dashed downstairs because Pearle’s coffee always went quick. When she got to the kitchen, she saw Violet sitting at the table with the morning paper. Rose loudly said, “Good morning.”

  Rose tried to ignore the fact she didn’t get a response from Violet; she poured herself some coffee and saw breakfast on the stove. She grabbed a biscuit, took a bite, and fixed herself a plate of scrambled eggs and sausage. She sat across from Violet and in between bites asked, “Where’s Mama?”

  Violet looked up for the first time. “Excuse me?”

  “I asked where Mama is,” Rose stated while wiping her mouth with a napkin.

  “Oh, she and Aunt Mae went to visit some people they know in the nursing home off Mansfield Road.”

  Rose continued to eat the rest of her breakfast. The house phone rang and neither one of them acted as if they wanted to answer it. Rose placed the dishes in the sink and grabbed the phone. “I guess I’ll get it. Hello.”

  “Rosemary’s Baby, what’s up? Heard you were in the ‘Port City.”

  Rose started laughing. “What’s going on Audrey? You know you’re my favorite cousin.”

  “Whatever. You went Hollywood on us and forgot all about me.”

  Rose leaned on the counter. “No I didn’t. You never return my calls and you’re sounding just like Aunt Mae.”

  “Well this ain’t my mama, it’s me and I called to see what you were getting into today.”

  Rose turned around and saw that Violet had left the room. “Nothing. You want to go shopping.”

  “Only if you’re buying,” Audrey responded.

  “Well come on. I’ll be ready in thirty minutes.”

  “When have you ever been ready in thirty minutes? I’ll be over in an hour.”

  After the call, Rose went in search for Violet. “There you are. That was Audrey on the phone. She’s on her way over so we can go shopping. Do you want to tag along?” Rose asked.

  Violet continued to brush her hair but responded, “I’ll pass; besides three is a crowd.”

  “Why you have to be like that? It’s my treat. Let me do something for you.”

  Violet walked passed her and stated, “You’ve done enough. Thank You.”

  ***

  I know I haven’t been the best sister, but who’s perfect? I’ve bent over backwards to make Violet feel comfortable; I’ve been cordial, but Ms Can’t Do No Wrong acts like she got a stick up her butt. Well, I’m about to have me some fun and enjoy my time with my family. She can trip, but she’ll be tripping by herself.

  ***

  Rose and Audrey spent the entire day shopping. They hit the mall on St. Vincent Avenue and since they only had a limited amount of stores, they went over to Bossier and shopped there. “Is Freeman’s still open?” Rose asked.

  Audrey replied, “Girl yes, but my mom is having something at her house for you two, so you might want to save your appetit
e. You know how we do in the South. If you don’t eat or pick over our food, we get awfully offended.”

  “Aunt Mae is from the old school and she’ll front you out in a minute,” Rose agreed.

  “Girl, ain’t nothing changed, but the year,” Audrey commented.

  Audrey brought Rose back to Pearle’s place. As Rose attempted to ring the doorbell, Pearle had already opened the door. “You need to take one of my spare keys. What if Violet or I wouldn’t have been here? You would have been stuck outside.”

  Rose kissed her on the cheek. “I have something for you.”

  “I told you about buying me things. I don’t need anything but what God’s green earth can provide.”

  She took out a box and handed it to her. “Just look at it as a belated or early birthday present. Let me put these away and I’ll be ready to go over to Aunt Mae’s with you.”

  51

  VIOLET

  Violet noticed the attention everyone showered on Rose. She tried to ignore the fact hardly anyone was interested about her being home. Most of her relatives had stopped by to see supposedly both of them, but Rose as usual was center stage. Violet grabbed a cold drink and exited out the door that led to the back porch.

  She stretched and was not aware someone else was outside, until he came around and identified himself. “I heard you were here, but I had to come see for myself.”

  Violet couldn’t decipher who was talking so she assumed it was someone to see her sister. “She’s inside if you want to see her, but stand in line. She has an audience.”

  He walked under the moonlight. “I’m looking at the right sister.”

  She stared and when he tilted his head forward, she recognized him. He was several inches taller than she remembered, but it was the same cute freckled nose little boy who broke her heart so many years ago. His cocoa-brown complexion and well-chiseled body was enough to excite any warm-blooded woman. He was standing tall at six-two dressed in all black, with his black denim jeans, and black buttoned down shirt. To top it off, he had on some black Stetsons and a black cowboy hat. Violet jumped off the porch and ran up to him. “Pierre, I can’t believe this.”