[ WP ] Your day starts like any other until suddenly there 's a knock at the door . It 's your estranged sister . `` We need to talk ... ''

`` We need to talk...'' 
 
 I stood there speechless, mouth agape. 5 long years it had been. And suddenly, there she stood on the doorstep. Her hair was matted. Her skin was a pale blue hue under the moonlight. Her face was worn and tired. She wore a strange necklace. The past half decade must have been rough on her. 
 
 Silently, I let her into my home. Her clothes were soaking wet. I offered her a sweater and some sweat pants. She declines, preferring to just sit by the fire. 
 
 The myriad of conflicting emotions overwhelm me. Anger, confusion, and happiness swirl messily in my head. She had seem troubled the days before disappearing, but could always muster a smile. `` As long as you're here with me, I could ask for nothing more,'' she would always say to me. But, one day, she just left. No note. No explanation. 
 
 How could she leave without telling me? The anger rose within me. I thought that we had always been close! I thought she could tell me everything! There were no secrets between us! 
 
 Anger quickly gave way to the fonder memories. She always let me have the last cookie. `` I'll just get fat. You can have it,'' she would say. When the neighborhood bully -- Tara the Terrible I would call her -- came after me, my sister gave her a good whooping. She was grounded for a month, but Tara never bothered me again. 
 
 `` Why did you leave? Why did you not tell us you were leaving?'' I demanded. 
 
 My sister tugged at her necklace. It appeared heavy and uncomfortable. 
 
 `` I did n't have the strength to tell you, Sis. I knew you would be disappointed in me. You would have called me weak. I could n't resist giving in. There was nothing for me here. This promised me freedom and salvation.'' She lifted her necklace as she spoke. 
 
 `` What do you mean you had nothing? You had me! I was here for you!'' I could feel the aching pain rising in my chest. 
 
 `` Yes, Sis. You were the only one I had. That's why I could n't tell you I was leaving. You would have convinced me to stay. Anyways, I realize I had been wrong. The pain I caused you was much more than the pain I ever felt. I came to beg for your forgiveness. I promise to stay here with you. You can talk to me any time. I am here for you.'' 
 
 Tears were streaming down my face. For the last 5 years, I was so angry. But, here she was once again. I knew she cared about me. She came back just for me! 
 
 `` Yes, I forgive you. Please do n't ever leave me again.'' My sister continued playing with her necklace. `` Would you like a cookie? You look like you have n't eaten for 5 years. You're all skin and bones.'' 
 
 `` Haha. No thanks, Sis. I'll just get fat. You can have it.'' 
 
 `` Will you stay the night?'' 
 
 `` Sure Sis. I'll sleep right here by the fire. It's nice and warm here.'' 
 
 The next morning, my sister was gone. On the floor was her necklace. I picked it up. It was simple and cheap. Only made of rope, with a running bowline knot in the back. I put it in my purse and got into my car. 
 
 It was a 30-minute drive, but it was a drive I had made numerous times in the last 5 years. I parked on the gravel lot. Across the road was a flower-lined path. I saw my sister at the end of the path. 
 
 `` Here. You forgot your necklace. If you do n't mind, I'd like to hold onto it for you. It was only making you uncomfortable. I brought you some cookies. I know what you're going to say, but I really want you to eat them this time.'' 
 
 A tear rolled down my cheek. `` Thanks for coming back to me. I really missed you.'' 
 
 I set the tray down by her grave. I got up and began walking back to my car.
