A Heart for Rebel by Mia Natal Page B

Bailey's
knee with an antiseptic and blew on it. She's such a loving sister and I can't
help but fall for her more. She puts a hello kitty band aid on it and kisses
Bailey on top of her head.
    "All better. See
that wasn't so bad," Rebel said.
    "Reby, when
are we going home back to mommy? I want my mommy," Bailey sniffled. I took
that as my leave. I lightly touched her arm and mouthed, "I'll be outside
if you need me." I went outside and sat on the steps.

 
     

     
    B AILEY WAS HAVING a temper tantrum. I was at my wits
end not knowing how to deal with it. She has never acted out like that before. I
didn’t know how to explain to an eight year old why we couldn’t see our mother
or live with her again. Wyatt was trying to be sweet by offering to wait
outside. I wanted to grab a hold of him and beg him not to leave me. I didn’t
know how to handle this delicate situation. I've never let the adversities that
plagued my life hold me back from feeling positive that I can overcome those
obstacles and succeed, but dealing with screaming, demanding eight year old had
me literally terrified.
    “Bailey, I know you
want to go see ma, but at the moment we can’t,” I said soothingly.
    “Why can’t we see
mommy? I wanna see my mommy!” she screamed.
    “Calm down Bailey.
Mommy is sick right now. We have to wait until she’s better before we can visit
her,” I said, hoping to diffuse the situation. She only cried harder. Big drops
of tears pooled in her eyes and ran down her face. My heart broke for her. She’s
too young to understand that our mother was an addict. I had no idea how to
explain to her the situation we were living in was not good or healthy for
either of us.
    "Shh,
munchkin," I said, while trying to soothe her. I tried to pick her up from
the vanity to hug her, but she kicked and punched me with her little hands and
feet. I reacted on instinct and smacked her. She started to cry in big gulps,
"I...I hate you Re...Reby." She jumped off the vanity and ran
screaming, "I hate you and I don't want to see you."
    I tried to run
after her to say I'm sorry, but she was out the door. I felt like the worst
sister ever. I was struck dumb. I've never seen Bailey act out in this manner
before. She's always been a sweet tempered child and her outburst had me
questioning if I made the right decision in removing her from the volatile
environment we were both subjected to by our mother. She was out the door
before I could reach her. I looked out just in time to catch a glimpse of her
running inside Victor's house. I was pacing up and down the hallway, clenching
my hands self-doubting myself for taking Bailey away from the only mother she's
ever known. I hit my sister and now she hated me. Tears are rolling down my
cheeks. Wyatt came back in and pulled me up into his arms. He sat down with me
and held me until my sobbing subsided.
    "She hates
me," I whispered.
    "Baby, she
doesn't hate you. She's angry. I'm sure she's confused, scared and doesn't know
how to express her frustrations. She's only eight years old," he said.
    "I smacked
her. I smacked her across her beautiful little face and now I feel like the
worst sister ever. I've never hit her before," I wailed.
    "Baby, you
didn't do that maliciously. We are all humans and react in tense situations.
You know she loves you. She knows you love her too. Let her calm down and then
go talk to her," he gently said.
    I was a massive
ball of nerves, feelings, and too many emotions at once. I felt sad...sad
because I just had my first argument with my little sister. Hunger...hunger for
the most beautiful, caring and tattooed hottie holding me. I couldn't help myself;
I strategically placed my lips on his and kissed him. Our tongues were in sync
as our kissed deepened.
    Wyatt pulled his
lips from mine and said, "The first time I saw you it was, but a glimpse
on a crowed train. A glimpse of cute girl, but the first time I really saw you
I was mesmerized. I was speechless. Time stood still