Waiting Five Years for Vindication

1
Five years after she cut me out of her life, my sister, a homicide detective, finally got her transfer back to Oakhaven. She came back for one reason: to reopen the case of her childhood sweetheart's father, murdered all those years ago.
And me? I was just a nobody, sorting parts on an assembly line for twenty bucks an hour.
When she and her team stormed the factory floor, I kept my head down, my hands moving mechanically, pretending not to see her. I didn't look up until the cold steel of the cuffs clicked around my wrists. Her eyes were bloodshot with a hatred so pure it burned.
Julians father has been dead for five years, she seethed, her voice shaking. What gives you the right to live so peacefully?
She yanked me to my feet. And Mom! Shes been in on this with you, hasn't she? Hiding from me for five years!
A bitter sting filled my nose, and for a second, the world swam out of focus.
She didn't know. Our mother was buried in the spring of that same year, five years ago.
And I had just been clinging to life, a ghost waiting for my own sister to clear my name. But looking at her now, I saw the truth. The sister I had waited five long years for was just another stranger.
Cicis hands trembled as she cuffed me, the metal biting painfully into my skin.
Andrew, she said, her voice low and venomous. I dont care how you dodged justice back then. This time, Ill be the one to put you away.
The other workers held their breath, a silent audience to our broken family drama. I just managed a quiet Okay, and let her march me to her car.
The moment we arrived at the station, Julian lunged at me, his face a mask of grief and rage.
What did my father ever do to you? he screamed, his fists hammering against my chest. How could you kill him? I want you to pay with your blood!
He beat me, spat on me, his fury a familiar storm I had weathered countless times before. Just like five years ago. I was used to it.
While Cici watched with cold disgust, I met his eyes calmly.
You know exactly what happened that night.
A split second later, a sharp crack exploded against my cheek. My sisters hand. Her other fist was clenched tight, her brow furrowed in a knot of fury.
Five years and you still havent learned? You were holding the knife, Andrew. Julians father was bleeding out on the floor. If it wasnt you, who was it?
She shoved her phone into my chest. You wont admit it? Fine. Call Mom right now. I want to hear what kind of monster shes raised these past five years!
The phones hard edge struck my face, and a sharp, clear pain finally lanced through my heart.
If it hadn't been for Julian's monster of a father, my mother never would have been so violated, so broken that she took her own life.
And I wouldn't have been a helpless kid grabbing the first weapon I could find, a kitchen knife, to make him stop. An act that turned me into a pariah, forced to scrape by on a few thousand a month, waiting for the one person I thought I could trust, my detective sister, to bring justice for my mother and me.
I looked at her cold, unforgiving face and knew my hope was dead.
A bitter, self-mocking laugh escaped me. Mom she doesnt want to talk to you.
Cicis jaw clenched, her eyes threaded with red. Five years had done nothing to soften her hatred for me. It had only let it fester.
She dragged me away roughly, ordering an officer to put me in a holding cell. Still as stubborn as ever, trying to piss me off. Is that it? Then you can sit in here and think it over until youre ready to talk to me like a human being!
A familiar voice spoke up beside her. Captain, we dont have any evidence. We cant legally hold him like this
Shut up! Ill take the heat for it. He made his bed, now he can lie in it.
Cici glared at me one last time before slamming the cell door. The heavy click of the lock echoed in my chest, throwing me back five years, to the sound of her voice screaming as she shoved my head into a toilet bowl.
What did Julian ever do to you? Why would you do something so twisted, so evil? How the hell did I end up with a brother like you!
I had closed my eyes then, thinking it would be easier to just let the water fill my lungs.
But I couldn't.
What would happen to Mom? Shed escaped with a permanently injured leg. She only had me.
So I fought back, thrashing free from my sisters grip, choking out the words. That animal deserved to die! It was self-defense!
For five years, Id held onto the fantasy that my sister, the police officer, would eventually see the truth and stand with us. It was that hope that kept me alive, like a stray dog, even as a deep depression took root in my soul.
But now, that was over. At least I wasn't waiting for a miracle anymore, just for my next twenty-dollar-an-hour paycheck to keep myself breathing.
I finally found the courage to make the call. I dialed my psychiatrist.
I need you to help me arrange for the procedure. Euthanasia. As soon as possible.
But the case wasnt your fault, Andrew, he said gently. Are you still so determined not to forgive yourself?
My hand tightened on the phone, my heart feeling like it was being crushed into pulp.
Back then, my own sister, who should have been recused as a family member, stood up in court and testified against me. My brother made a mistake, and as his sister, I have to take responsibility. Letting him off easy will only destroy him!
She appealed the courts decision again and again, painting me as a vicious killer in the public eye.
Thats when the depression hit. The night Mom hanged herself, I swallowed a bottle of sleeping pills. In a last, foggy moment of panic, I called my sister, begging for help.
Her voice had been like ice. If youre going to die, then just die. Dont call me looking for pity.
I buried our mother alone. I cried until I had no tears left.
Every year after that, on the anniversary of her death, I couldnt stop myself from calling the sister who had disowned me. But she was always busy. Taking Julian to a doctors appointment, buying him fireworks, renting a yacht to cheer him up.
Julian lost his father because of you, shed once snapped. Im atoning for your sins. Dont be so ungrateful!
After that, she officially cut all ties, legally dissolving our relationship as siblings.
But a part of me, the little boy I used to be, still dreamed that one day she would believe me. That she would put her hand on my head and tell me I had been brave.
So I took the factory job. The pay was garbage, but they didnt care about my depression.
After three days in the holding cell, the call I was dreading came. My boss sounded apologetic. Look, kid, my hands are tied. If youre really in some kind of legal trouble, it could sink my whole business.
My mind went blank. The money for Moms burial plot, the money for the euthanasia procedure it all depended on that job.
My composure finally shattered. I started rattling the bars of the cell, screaming. Cici! Please, let me out! I have to get to work! I cant lose this job!
When she finally appeared, her face a mask of annoyance, the panic attack was already closing in, squeezing the air from my lungs.
Wow, your acting has really improved over the years, she said with a sneer. You can even fake a panic attack now? The only one whos really depressed is Julian!
She leaned closer. And dont call me your sister. The word makes me sick.
Each word was a punch to the gut, stealing my breath.
I forced myself to change my address. De Detective, I gasped. You cant just lock me up like this. Im innocent.
Cicis expression darkened, her brow knitting together. Youre unbelievable, Andrew.
Just then, her phone rang. Julians soft, pleading voice drifted from the speaker. Cici, you promised youd take me to that new gallery opening. When are you coming to get me?
Her face and tone softened instantly. Im on my way.
As she turned to leave, another call came in, this time on my cheap burner phone. It was the administrator from the cemetery.
Mr. Hayes? If this months maintenance fee isnt paid soon, well have no choice but to remove the ashes from the niche.
The world dropped out from under me. My legs gave way, and I collapsed.
Cici, already halfway out the door, stopped and spun around, her eyes wide with confusion. Ashes? Whose ashes?
When I woke up, I was in a hospital bed. A second later, Cicis anxious face swam into my vision.
The cemetery said the deceaseds last name was Lynn. Who is it? Just tell me, Andrew. Ill believe you.
For a heart-stopping moment, I wanted to scream it at her. Our mother. Our mother took her own life five years ago because she couldnt live with the shame. Shes gone.
I remembered holding her cold hand as she was dying, her last words a whisper for her daughter. Cici make that bastard pay.
I had choked back my own tears to promise her. Cici will get him, Mom. Shes the best detective in the world. Shell get justice for you.
But the words died on my lips, replaced by a bitter smile. I dont know. A distant relative, maybe.
Almost every time I went to visit Moms grave, Id see Cici there with Julian, laying flowers on his fathers tomb. She would hold him as he wept, offering him the comfort and warmth she had always denied me. I would watch from a distance, hidden behind other gravestones, a toxic mix of envy and hatred churning in my gut.
Seeing the stubborn set of my jaw, Cicis face hardened.
Only Mom could ever handle you when you get like this, she snapped. Maybe a couple of years in prison will finally teach you some humility!
With that, she took another call and stormed out of the room.
I glanced at the calendar on the wall. Today was the anniversary of Moms death. Which meant it was also the anniversary of the death of Julians father.
Of course. She was rushing off to be with him.
Dragging my weak body out of bed, I did what I had done for the past five years. I bought a bouquet of sunflowers, Moms favorite, and went to the cemetery alone.
Id barely made it through the gates when Julian charged at me like a wild animal.
You have the nerve to show your face here? Today of all days? Are you doing this on purpose?
His nails raked across my face, leaving burning trails of pain. I clenched my fists, fighting to stay calm. Get off me, I said through gritted teeth.
Julians face twisted. Cici! he wailed.
She was there in an instant. Without asking a single question, she shoved me hard, sending me sprawling to the ground.
Are you insane, Andrew? Julian is grieving! Why would you come here just to provoke him?
The sunflowers scattered across the grass. I scrambled to gather them, a desperate grief clawing at me. A moment later, an expensive leather shoe pressed down hard on the back of my hand.
I hissed in pain, snatching my hand back as involuntary tears streamed down my face.
Its a day of mourning, Andrew, and you bring these bright, cheerful flowers? Cicis voice was dangerously low as she stared down at me, not a flicker of remorse in her eyes. Are you trying to mock us?
She had really forgotten.
Every year on her birthday, Mom would buy herself a bouquet of sunflowers. I want you and your sister to grow up strong and bright like these, she used to say. And Ill always be your sun.
Now, the only person in Cicis heart was the son of the man who had destroyed our sun forever.
I ignored the pain and reached for the crushed petals with my bloodied hand.
For a second, Cici froze, her breath catching.
But then Julian pulled a knife from his bag and pressed it to his own throat. Its all my fault! I couldnt protect my dad! You two can have your happy reunion. Im going to be with him!
No! Cici cried, her face pale with panic. She didn't dare move.
Then, her eyes, cold and hard, fixed on me. She spoke through clenched teeth. What are you waiting for? Get on your knees and apologize to Julians father. Now!
A roaring filled my ears.
You dont deserve to be my sister! I screamed, my voice raw and cracking.
She didnt even flinch. She just kicked the back of my knee, hard. The joint buckled with a fiery agony, and I collapsed onto the ground in front of Mr. Vances tombstone.
Apologize!
Before I could answer, a group of people visiting a nearby grave recognized me. Phones came out, cameras pointing.
Thats him! The murderer from that case years ago! What is he even doing here?
Hes probably up to no good. Someone should call the cops and have him locked up for good!
The crowd buzzed, their whispers loud and sharp. How could a decorated detective captain have a killer for a brother? The shame on Cicis face was unmistakable. Having me for a brother was an embarrassment.
Is it that hard to say youre sorry? she demanded.
I just stared back, my eyes burning.
Seeing my defiance, Julian started sobbing louder, nicking his own skin with the knife.
That was it. Cici lost her patience. She snatched a thick stick from a groundskeeper's cart and brought it down hard across my legs. The pain was blinding, a white-hot agony that felt like my bones were splitting.
Aaargh!
A bucket of red paint came next, dumped over my head, the thick liquid blinding me.
Humiliation and pain washed over me in a suffocating wave. My mouth filled with the taste of blood, and a wild, crazed laugh bubbled up from my chest.
Youre not my sister anymore! And you will never see Mom again!
Her head snapped up. Dont you dare say that! You and Mom are only giving me the silent treatment because you want me to come home! You dont have to be so stubborn about it!
She shot a look at the crowd, and they understood. Hands grabbed my head, forcing it down, slamming my forehead against the cold stone of the grave three times.
Murderer. You deserve to die.
The curses swirled around me, but nothing was more humiliating than this. Being forced to bow to the man who had destroyed my life.
Through the red haze, I saw Julian, hiding behind Cici, a triumphant smirk on his face.
It was like they were acting on her command, a frenzied mob venting their rage. They stomped on my hands, and I heard the sickening snap of my own fingers. A raw, piercing scream tore from my throat, echoing across the hillside.
When I was barely conscious, Cici finally raised a hand. Thats enough. Ill be putting him in prison myself soon enough. Someone call an ambulance.
I was left on the ground like a piece of trash. Through my blurred vision, I thought I saw a flicker of something, maybe regret, in her eyes.
When the ambulance arrived, it wasn't a paramedic who stepped out, but my psychiatrist.
With the last of my strength, I begged him. No more waiting. Schedule it for today. Please.
Cici stood frozen, watching the ambulance disappear down the winding road, a sour feeling churning in her stomach.
Just then, a group of cemetery workers walked past, carrying a tombstone.
She glanced at it, then felt a strange premonition. Why are you moving that one? she asked.
A worker sighed. The mans son couldnt afford the upkeep fees anymore. We have to move it to the public repository.
The name and photograph on the granite slab flashed past her eyes. Cicis world tilted, her breath catching in her throat

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