The Devil's Bargain by Miranda Joyce

Kit was smiling to herself and humming as she gathered her scattered clothes and shoved them haphazardly into her backpack. My mood was considerably darker.
    “I can’t believe you’re doing this again.”
    “Meg, I don’t need a lecture right now. You’ve always hated Charlie and you want me to hate him too.”
    “You’re damn right I want you to hate him. He broke your arm and used your face as a punching bag.” I knew I was practically screaming but I couldn’t stop the words from flowing. This was my little sister, my partner in crime and here she was blithely jumping back into the arms of her abusive boyfriend. My rage and fear were overwhelming.
    “You know, you are so cynical. You really don’t believe that good people can make mistakes and that they can change. Charlie has changed. He’s quit drinking and he promised we’re going down to Cena Springs in the summer just like we had always planned. A romantic weekend for just the two of us.”
    “You said the same thing last time.”
    Kit heaved a deep sigh and walked out of the room. I could hear her packing in the bathroom. We had been through this song and dance so many times that the lines were practically scripted. Every few months after a particularly bad argument she would come running to me. I would bandage her wounds and dry her tears while she adamantly proclaimed that they were “really, really over this time.” Then in a few days Charlie would show up again. Usually with flowers or chocolates and promises to change.
    I wished—not for the first time—that there was some magical combination of words I could say that would finally break the hold he had on her. Instead, I was left with the same hollow, useless feeling I had felt so many times before.
    “Don’t be like that.” I looked up and saw her standing in the doorway with her backpack already slung over one shoulder. “I know you’re trying to look out for me and I appreciate it. You’re the best big sister a girl could ever have. I just have to do this. I don’t expect you to understand but I know it’s going to be different this time.”
    I just held her in my arms until the rumbling sputter of Charlie’s old mustang sounded outside my door. As soon as she heard it, Kit starting squirming, eager to get away.
    “Wait, just one second.” Outside, Charlie honked the horn knowing he wasn’t welcome at my door. I took Kit’s face in my hands, the way I had when we were little girls and mom and dad were fighting again. “You know I’ll always love you, Kitty, and I’m always here for you. Whenever and whatever you need just call.”
    The horn blared again impatiently. Kit’s eyes darted to the door and I could sense the tension in her. She was scared he was going to be pissed off. I had to let her go. Reluctantly, I let my hands fall back down to my sides.
    “I know, Meg. Love you too.” And with a final wave she disappeared out the front door. Into his clutches again.
    When the sounds of the mustang faded away down the street I picked up the phone and texted my best friend Beth.
    “Margaritas?”
    “At ten in the morning?”
    “I’m in need.”
    “On my way.”
    Ten minutes later I heard the front door open and Beth came in with several shopping bags. She had been my best friend since we met in Mrs. Kendall’s class in middle school. A beautiful leggy brunette, I had been intimidated by her at first, but Beth was something special. She was pragmatic, comforting and loyal with a vicious sense of humor and a penchant for getting into trouble. She was everything a girl could ask for in a best friend.
    “I didn’t know if you really wanted margaritas this early so I brought the stuff for Bloody Mary’s too. Normally I’m more of a mimosa girl but if you’re in need we’re going to need something stronger than champagne.”
    She bustled right into my kitchen and started pulling large bottles of liquor out of her bags. Beth was a veteran of the Meg/Kit/Charlie wars