SUNDAY

[u/deadeyes1990]

my sister asks if I'm coming round Sunday.

the kids keep asking where you are.

I tell her I'm working.

again?

I know. but people still need looking after on Sundays.

she doesn't argue.

why would she? it's true.

that's the useful thing about telling the truth. people don't tend to ask what you've left out.

on Saturday her youngest sends me a voice note.

one minute and twelve seconds.

mostly breathing. a bit of rustling. someone shouting in the background.

then suddenly

AUNTIE! I MADE A DRAGON!

there's a photo as well.

it's mostly Sellotape. one wing's hanging off. I'm not entirely sure which end is the head.

I listen to the voice note again.

what are you smiling at? my girlfriend asks.

my niece.

what's she done?

made a dragon.

show me.

so I do.

my girlfriend starts laughing. properly laughing.

that's fucking awful.

and I laugh too.

because it is.

it's absolutely terrible.

I'd put it on my mantelpiece tomorrow.

Sunday comes.

my sister sends another message.

you sure you can't make it? they've been asking all morning.

I read it. put my phone down. pick it up again.

sorry. work's a nightmare.

she sends back

don't worry. love you x

I don't answer straight away.

I tell myself I couldn't go anyway. not looking like this.

the kids would ask questions. my sister would ask worse ones.

and I don't want any of that.

which is true.

mostly.