In the early hours of the morning, she began to ignore me, getting ready for college in icy silence. I sensed she was troubled and carefully avoided meeting her eyes, fully aware that I'd gone much too far. As she finished adjusting her coat, I broke the ice.
- Emma, what's wrong?
She turned back to me, her eyes gleaming with a strange mixture of anger and embarrassment.
- I think you know very well...
My heart clenched in my chest and my mouth went dry.
- I shouldn't have done it, I'm sorry.
She probed my soul. I think she was disappointed to detect this mixture of guilt and envy continuing to boil deep inside me. She sighed, finishing adjusting her coat. Emma put her hand on the doorknob, hesitating for too long a second, before turning her beautiful green eyes towards me.
- Part of me really blames you for doing this...
A cryptic phrase bringing as many answers as new questions. With a certain insolence, I bounce off the ambiguity.
- And the other one?
My sister's face went pale. An answer choked in her tight throat. Nothing. She opened the door and slammed it behind her. I was now alone with my examination of conscience.
The day passed far too slowly. With my butt in the chair, I struggled to concentrate on the game I was playing. Possible scenarios raced through my mind. I knew Emma wouldn't tell my parents, but that was something. Full of remorse, I didn't even have the heart to watch an X-rated movie on my phone. The possible scenarios for my apology spun around in my head like a hamster in its wheel. The hours ticked by and finally, I heard that everyone had gone home. But Emma didn't come up to the room. I shivered with fear as I imagined the family dinner that was about to take place. I sheepishly introduced myself to my parents and Emma, who didn't say a word to me. I felt she was still trapped in her own thoughts, closed up like an oyster.
Around the table, only the clatter of cutlery countered the absence of conversation. My father glared at me. I was sweating. Had Emma told him? My hands were clammy. My mother looked at my father from time to time, then at me, waiting to see from which cloud the storm would come. But as usual, she smiled at me, full of kindness and maternal love. I deduced that they didn't know what I'd done last night...
- You didn't go out today, Max, did you? my father said tactlessly.
The hostilities were starting.
- No, I haven't. I've been looking for an internship.
He sighed loudly, trying to find the right words not to give in to his loud anger, which he knew was useless.
- That's it...take me for a fool...
His tone was cold, incredulous, the fire smoldering beneath the ice. My mother shriveled on her shoulders, finishing her peas. And the miracle came from across the table.
- It's true, Dad, I've seen him send out proposals. And getting answers. Didn't I, Max?
Incredible. My sister hadn't said a word all day, but she'd just saved my ass in a single sentence. I certainly didn't release a sigh of relief, so as not to tarnish the brilliance of her brilliant action.
- I've got an interview on Monday. For an alternation.
My father chewed dangerously on his last piece of meat, looking at his children in turn, probing to see if a scheme was at work. But Emma was the princess of light, his beloved granddaughter, her virtue never contested, in fact or word.
- Well, he concluded simply, finally relaxing his jaw.
The meal ended calmly. I glanced at my sister, trying to make out her state of mind, without discerning the slightest clue. After wishing my parents good night, I went up to my room. Emma was already there, sitting on the edge of the bed, hands clasped, looking solemn. I closed the door and approached her.
- I think we need to talk, she began.
All my prepared scenarios wanted to come out at once, and I immediately replied without letting her unroll the rest of her speech, for fear of finding my back against the wall.
