“Oh ok thats nice…” I added good naturedly. Although it did sound a bit strained and insincere to my ears. Hopefully, Mama Rose wouldn’t notice.
Despite the fact that Tiresa and I have grown up to be very different people, live very different lives and have very different body types…she was the gorgeous, slim, Island princess, to my Shrek like body mass…There was a time in our early twenties that we had courageously bridged the gap of our cultural and physical divide and were inseparable sisters. This, was not to last longer than my own volatile marriage with Tupa did. When the issues of abuse and family violence came out in the open Tiresa sided with Tupa and her extended pseudo ‘in-laws’ instead of supporting and believing my side of the story. During a bitter argument with her, I even went as far as holding her personally responsible for the fact that I even got with Tupa in the first place as it had been her idea and on her instigation from the start. Of course I am over all that now…just.
Since then our relationship has been nearly nonexistent. We text each other on birthdays and at Christmas time and she visits her nephew and niece, to give them presents but that basically sums up the extent of our relationship much to Pa’s continued disappointment.
Momentarily distracted by my thoughts, Mama Roses’ blurred voice phases back into clarity through the handset. “The family is putting together an engagement celebration for them in four weeks time and so i wanted to give you heaps of notice so that you and the children can be there..” She stops for a breath
“Mama Rose…” I start resigning myself to her disappointment. She must have sensed my refusal because she carries on hurriedly over top of me.
“I will need your help on the day of course cooking and such and i thought it would be good if…”
“Mama Rose,” I interrupted a little more forcibly “You know, I probably won’t be invited, I haven’t even been told about the engagement until now!”
“Nonsense,” she huffs, “Tiresa is your blood sister, albeit half blood, but blood all the same and even if you weren’t blood, family is family…” I mouth her last words even as she says them…I have heard it all before.
“Tell that to Tiresa,” I reply exasperatedly, “she still hasn’t visited Pa since he was hospitalised with his own cancer ordeal two years back and he was her father too once!”
“Well, I know nothing about that…” she skillfully turns the conversation back to her own agenda. “but it would be ridiculous if you were not there. Your sister will need you!” she paused “Anyhow you ARE invited because I am inviting you.”