“Rub the Buddha belly, Rylee,” my older sister, Katie, said to her daughter.
Rylee smiled up at me and gingerly put her hand on the crest of my pregnant abdomen. She moved it back and forth, with a hesitant, irritating judder.
I smiled, but had to grit my teeth to not swat her hand away.
I felt ashamed of my knee-jerk reaction, but frustrated that my sister didn’t remember how ticklish I am.
Mostly, I was tired and afraid.
Any day now, labor would start. Any day now, I would become a mother.
“I should give you some back rubs!” Katie said, her voice cheerful.
I cringed, trying not to show it. The idea of anyone touching me right now made me want to cry. Anyone, but especially my sister…
Oh, my dears, my relationship with my sister is the big ache of my life–one God has slowly redeemed. Won’t you join me at SheLoves to read about this part of our resurrected relationship?
Being a good girl hamstrung my calling