Regynn Winters

Dirt and Depression

Clair unlocked the door to Kya’s flat, her nose wrinkling in distaste as she stepped over the threshold. A quick glance around the room showed the shambles in which it sat, there were dirty dishes piled on the counter and overflowing the sink, the trash looked as if it it hadn’t been taken out in days, and spilled out onto the floor. The drapes were drawn over the windows but as she moved through the flat she could see dirty clothes scattered about.

With a growing sense of alarm she made her way to her sister’s tiny bedroom, pushing the door open, blinking at the darkness. She dashed to the bedside, reaching out for the mound of blankets and jerked them back in alarm.

“Stop! What are you doing?!” came an irritated reply.

“Light Kya you gave me a fright. What the fel is going on here? Why aren’t you at work?” Clair demanded.

Kya sat up in the bed, pushing a mass of tangles from her eyes, “I called in.”

Clair, busy lighting the lamps, turned to survey her sister, “Sick? What’s wrong? Have you got a fever? What is it? "

A deep sigh and a shake of her head was all the reply Clair got as her sister sunk back into the bed, pulling the covers over her head. The blonde stood for a moment, unsure of what to do until she heard a muffled sob from beneath the blankets.

“Is it today then? I knew if was close but I didn’t know the exact date.” She moved up to the head of the bed, placing a comforting hand on what she thought was her sister’s head, “Honey I know this is hard on you. I know you miss him. But do you really think he would want you to be this miserable for it? He loved your laugh, he lived for your smile. It would kill him all over again to see you this way.”

The blanket shifted as Kya nodded her head, her voice sounding a million miles away, “I know. I keep telling myself that but I miss him so much. We… we were going to have kids. You were going to be an aunty. I… I just can’t imagine life without him.”

“I know sis but you don’t have a choice. He’s gone and you’re still here.”

Clair tugged the blanket back until she could see her sister’s bloodshot eyes, “You’ve got no choice but to go on.”

Kya closed her eyes and took a deep shuddering breath, finally sitting up in the bed. She turned to Clair, “I know. But… I… I miss him so much…” she said brokenly, the tears flooding down her cheeks unchecked. Clair reached out, pulling her sister to her, letting her weep out all her pain against her shoulder while she stroked her matted hair.

After several moments Kya pulled away, looking at Clair, “I… thanks.” she murmured.

With a comforting smile and a nod Clair answered, “Sure, anytime. Now do you think you can get up and shower? You really smell ripe.” She nodded toward the door that lead to the rest of the flat, “And so does this place. Tell you what, you clean you, I’ll clean it. And then I’ll tell you the dirt I dug up on Reggie's new friend.”