One
Roxanna
I look around the room at my classmates, who are laughing and talking. Their families are here to support them. I see so much love that my heart flutters and aches; it’s broken.
Yes, it’s only the teacher and students, but it’s so damn important to me. I worked hard all year, waiting tables at Grub Corner, to save up and enroll in the paralegal certificate program at UC Davis. I have many plans to secure a job and improve my life.
Roseanna, my twin sister, is not here. But I thought that she would be here for the graduation dinner. I feel so alone. Granny passed away a couple of years ago.
It hurts.
Our parents died in a car crash when a drunk driver lost control, crashing head-on. They died instantly. Roseanna and I were with Granny, and she took us in. We started high school here in Sacramento. Then, Roseanna began acting out, and Granny tried her best to help her. But Roseanna only got worse.
I chew my lower lip, looking around the room. I need to go; there’s no reason for me to stay. I don’t want to explain that I’m alone; it will reopen the wound that never heals.
I smile, walk over to get a water bottle from the table, and take a drink. I slide the bottle into my purse and walk over to the bathroom. I push the door with my shoulder and walk over to the sink, staring at my reflection. I’m tall and thin, with dark hair, yeah, I have some boobs, and hazel eyes. Not much to look at.
I splash water on my face and run my fingers through my shoulder-length hair. It’s a little wavy, and I usually wear it up in a messy bun. I pull out my scrunchie from my purse, gather my hair, and pull it through the scrunchie. I don’t wear much makeup, so I look pale.
Hell, I need to leave before it gets dark.
I walk out of the Dirty Coyotes bar and grille. The food was good, and I’m glad that the school paid for it.
I walk down the street to our little apartment. We live in downtown Sacramento, which offers vibrant nightlife and an abundance of restaurants. I don’t have time to have fun with work and studying, but now that I’m done with school, I can look for a paralegal job.
Something inside me shifts, making me happy and hopeful.
I walk to the small apartment complex, up the stairs to the last apartment. I like the fact that it’s on the second floor and the last apartment on this floor. It makes me feel a little safer, even though the damn door is cardboard and the lock is shit.
I slide the key into the lock. I walk inside and close the door, taking a moment to look around. It’s a small apartment with one bedroom, a bathroom, and a combined kitchen and living room.
That’s it.
I can see that Roseanna has been home but left a mess. I hate that she does that. I chew my lower lip, looking around. What in the world was she looking for?
Money?
Hell.
She’s shit out of luck.
I finished paying my tuition to get my certificate. Is Roseanna ever going to fucking grow up and take responsibility at least for herself?
I hate that I don’t know what she’s into, and her boyfriends are questionable. But at least she honors my request not to bring them into the apartment. But I see them through the window, and they’re scum.
I ask her what she’s doing, but she never tells me. She states it’s not my business. We used to be so close, yeah, twin close. We’re fraternal twins, and we’re totally opposites.
As soon as I can, I’m moving, and I don’t think that I want Roseanna with me.
I need to get ready for work, it’s the evening shift. I should receive some good tips, and I could use the extra money. I walk to our room and look at the mess Roseanna left behind. We have bunk beds, yeah, that’s what fits in here. I grab my robe and a towel to take a shower.
“Is there anything else I could get you,” I ask the older couple eating their meal.
“That’s it,” the older lady says, smiling.
I nod, walking to the back of the bar counter to check the orders.
“Almost done,” Frank says, looking at me.
