Chapter 2: Let's Get Away

A week later: (The Williams' home)

"After a while, this place gets to be dull. You know what I mean," said Nina, laying on the couch with her work uniform still on.

"Ain't it though. We've all ready hit all the clubs around here and practically saw everything else there is to see in this pathetic town," said Anna, combing her long blonde hair. "Why did we move here in the first place? We could've picked Chicago, Miami, New Orleans, New York, or L.A., but no we had to settle for Merrillville."

"It's not all that bad," said Janyne. She was sitting on the floor watching television. "I've lived here practically all my life, but there are still some stuff I haven't done yet."

"Like what?" the sisters said simultaneously.

"Well... uh... I don't know, but there has to be," replied Janyne, trying to redeem herself.

Anna went back into the bathroom to finish combing her hair. Now two years older, she still has the beauty she's been blessed with all of her life. She let her hair grow out like Nina did and always keeps it in a unique style every once in a while. Since moving to the U.S., she has bought different color clothing, but she still remains to be the "Scarlet Chick".

Nina turned over towards the T.V. "Janyne, what the fuck are you watching?"

"Classical music. Isn't it pretty? I love watching concerts on T.V. It relaxes me."

"Well, turn it down, please. That crap is giving me a headache."

Janyne looked astounded. "You don't like classical? Everyone in this town likes classical at least a little."

"So that's why this boring town is what is is... boring!"

Anna giggled in the bathroom.

"So, what kind of music do you listen to Miss Classical Hatin' Williams," asked Janyne. She seemed to be really offended with Nina's comment.

"It's R&B and Hip-Hop all the way, darling. Anna and I love it!"

Anna emerged from the bathroom. "Well, I have nothing against classical music. To be honest, I could listen to Schubert's symphonies all day. It makes me take my mind off of the harshness of life... well how life used to be."

"See Nina? It makes you feel peaceful, calm, relaxed; it's like healing."

"Well, if I want healing, I'll go to a doctor thank you," said Nina, a smile planted on her face. The girls giggled and relaxed.

Janyne left to go home and the sisters were sitting on the couch watching "Finding Nemo."

Nina began to speak, "When you said you listened to classical to relieve you, was it because of me?"

Anna looked at Nina with a sympathetic face. This left Nina feeling guilty.

"Yeah, I guess you could say that. But that's in the past now. I'm glad it is and you know I am. I love being sisters and actually loving eachother. We don't have to hide behind our feelings and feel ashamed when something goes wrong. I like life now than what it was before," explained Anna. "Don't you?"

"Yes, but I still feel bad because of all the hurt and pain I caused you over the years. You'll never forget that and it might leave an emotional... uhm... scar."

Anna got up and hugged her older sister. "I'm okay. I love you, sis." Anna left the living room and got ready for bed.

"Aren't you gonna finish watching the movie?" asked Nina.

Anna yawned. "I'm sleepy. I'll finish tomorrow. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, baby sis." Nina sighed a long, stressful sigh. She knew she was the reason for all the animosity and hurt in the family. She couldn't even remember her parents. All she had was a picture of them, in a rusty frame. It was the picture she used to hold every night when they lived in Ireland. It showed Richard, Moire, Anna, and herself next to the beach. This was the same picture Anna caught Nina looking at the night she was supposed to kill Kazuya. Of all the time she spent looking at it, she could not recollect anything about her deceased parents. They belonged only to the memory of Anna.

Nina got up and went into her room. She looked at the old photo. She looked at how happy everyone was, especially Anna. She had an idea on how to make Anna happy like those times. She would call Janyne tomorrow morning.

Sunday morning: (June 20th)

"Hello, Janyne?" said Nina, talking on the phone.

"Good morning, Nina," said Janyne, sounding sleepish. What's up?"

"I had this great idea last night and I just had to tell you. I couldn't wait! But you can't tell Anna. It's gonna be a surprise!"

"Oooh! I love surprises! Okay, spill!" said Janyne, overly excited.

"I was looking at a picture of our family from many years ago and we were all on the beach smiling and having a good time. I thought that... well... we could go to the beach. But not just any beach. We're going to Cali!"

"Are you serious? This is gonna be fun! When were you planning on going," asked Janyne. Her enthusiasm in the idea was remarkable.

"I haven't thought all of that through just yet. We're gonna tell Anna about it today so come on by later in the afternoon. This is gonna surprise her!"

"I know it will. See you then." Janyne hung up the phone.

Nina put the phone back on the hook and couldn't stop smiling. She felt so good to think about doing something nice for her little sister. It made her feel warm and complete, like she had a purpose in life. She went in the bathroom to get ready and decided to fix Anna a nice breakfast.

Sunday afternoon: (4:00)

"So, what's on the agenda for today, girls," asked Janyne, eating some barbecue flavored chips from the cabinet. "What kinda trouble are we getting into today?"

"Janyne, you're always trying to be bad. We know deep inside you're nothing but a good little angel." Anna smiled at both Nina and Janyne.

"You believe what you wanna believe, but only I know the truth. You may think I'm innocent, and I am at times, but there are times when I can be a totally different person."

"Sure, Janyne. Whatever you say," said Nina. The girls giggled and watched T.V. as Nina rapidly flipped through the channels.

Later on:

The girls were quietly watching a movie on Lifetime about an abusive relationship. Nina got up and handed a picture to Anna.

"Do you remember this picture, sis?" asked Nina.

"Of course. That was one of the good memories I have. We were so happy then- the four of us." Anna began smiling despite the harsh images on the television.

"Well," Nina began, "What if we could get back to the picture? How about a trip to the beach? But not just any beach. How about taking a trip to California? What do you say?"

Anna looked at Nina with a loving gaze. "Are you for real? You wanna go to California? I'm in if you're in. What about you Janyne? Wanna come with?" asked Anna.

"I'm already going. Nina and I were thinking about it this morning before you woke up. She called me and told me she had a terrific idea. And guess what? She thought of it all for you. She wanted to make you happy."

Nina looked over at Anna at the same time Anna looked at her. "Thanks Nina! I mean really! This is truly nice."

Nina looked at both girls. "Then it's settled! We're going to Cali! All of the guys, the sun, guys, fresh air... Oh, did I mention all of the guys with their gorgeuos bodies?" Nina quaked in excitement.

"You're so slow. Well, when should we go? We do have work you know." Anna couldn't believe what came out of her own mouth. She would never have put work before fun back in Ireland. "I mean I don't need to get fired. I need that money."

"We all do. But this is what we'll do." Janyne told them that they would each ask their boss for a week's vacation the end of July. "If not then, we could try and go next year of course."

"Well, I'm sure Mr. Jenning's will let me take a vacation during that time. The question is will y'all be able to," said Nina. She was glad she had a good relationship with her boss.

"I guess Ms. Parker won't mind if the both of us took the same vacation slot. Will she, Janyne?" asked Anna.

"She's cool. But she a real stickler about people not coming in for work. We can try."

"All right! Tomorrow we'll meet up at the food court and tell eachother the news." Nina was extremely happy when she took the picture back from Anna. She felt like no feeling before. She felt like a... sister. Anna and Nina hugged and she fell asleep on the couch with the girls.

After a few hours, Janyne left for home and the girls awaited for the next day.

Monday afternoon: (Food Court)

"So, what did your boss say, Nina?" asked Janyne.

"What I figured he would. He said I could go. And guess what." Nina paused for a second. "He fired Paul!"

"For real? Why?" Anna and Janyne asked.

"I told Mr. Jennings about what he did to me and Anna. He said he couldn't have us working together and since Paul was in the wrong, he's the one that got fired."

"Well that's what he gets for thinking he can pimp two girls at once," said Anna.

"So what did your guys' boss say?"

"She told us that we were like the best employees she's ever seen. She told us that we could take the vacation if we put in ten extra hours before we leave for Cali," explained Janyne. "I'm gonna try to get them in as quickly as possible."

"Me too. I don't wanna have to worry about them right before we leave," added Anna.

Nina and Anna looked over as Paul walked past them. He had just returned his work uniform and was leaving the mall. He flipped them off and they returned the gesture.

"Motherfucker," Nina muttered.

Nina, Anna, and Janyne began eating the food they bought before they began talking. The conversation was more important than the food at the time. After they ate, they went back to their jobs to finish work.

At the Williams' house:

Nina came home before Anna because Anna had to close the shop. Nina walked into the house. She dropped her things on the floor and changed into some of her more comfortable clothes. /Much better./ Nina again took the picture off the shelf and looked at it. She wished she could remember her parents. She tried so hard, but nothing would come up. She envied Anna. Nina had no memory of anything before she was put into cryogenic sleep. All of her past comes from the eyes of her sister. /Where would I be without her/

Nina took the photo in her room and laid across the bed. She looked at the younger version of her, smiling back at it. A tear ran half way down her face. She's only felt love from one person. Anna. Nina really wanted a man to comfort her. She thought Paul would be that one. Thinking of Paul made her angry. She relaxed on the bed and went to sleep. By this time it was 10:30.

At 11:30:

"Nina, I'm home!" said Anna, walking through the front door. She laid her things next to Nina's. "Nina, where are you?"

Anna walked into Nina's bedroom to find her sleeping soundly. She decided not to bother her. Then she noticed the picture. Anna began to sob silently.

/She is so sweet! I really wish she could remember mom and dad. It's obvious she's trying so damn hard. I want to help her, but I've tried all I could./ Anna took the photo and placed it back on the shelf. She watched T.V. until around two in the morning, dozing off every now and then. She began to dream:

"Come on, Nina! The water's fine!" Anna was splashing her dad in the water of the lake.

"Yeah, sweetheart," began Richard, "Come join us. Look! Your mom is even enjoying the beach."

Nina looked over at her mother, Moire. Her pale skin glistening in the sun's ultraviolet rays. Nina clearly got her beauty from her mother.

After getting out of the water, they took a family portrait. Everyone was smiling, even a little too much, but life for everyone was better. (At least then.)

A little over a month went by with nothing of importance occuring. Nina, Anna, and Jayne were anxiously awaiting the coming of July 25, the day they leave for Long Beach, California.

Sunday, July 25: (At Janyne's home)

The Williams' sisters spent the night over Janyne's house since it was closer to the Gary/Chicago Airport. They didn't want to worry about rushing to catch their flight.

Janyne's boyfriend, Dominique, took them to the airport and saw them off as they headed to California.

Nina and Anna leaned over Janyne, looking out the window. "Man, Janyne! Look at this! You don't know what you're missing!" said Nina. Nina and Anna had flew on planes before, but Janyne's feet had never left the ground.

"That's okay. Do you wanna trade seats? I don't want to sit by the window."

"I'll trade with you, girl," said Anna, rearranging her self to exchange seats with Janyne.

After about an hour of flight, the passengers were served peanuts and soda. Many sleeping people began waking up to the sound of peanut bags popping and sizzling soda.

Nina opened her bag of peanuts and began chomping away like she never had eaten before.

"Damn, sis! The bag isn't going anywhere!" Anna started giggling.

"Whatever, big head," said Nina, paying Anna's comment not much attention. "So, what are we gonna do first when we get there?"

"Well, we should probably check into our hotel and chill for a while. I know we're gonna be tired from switching time zones," said Janyne.

"Oh, yeah. They are two hours behind Merrillville time. I remember coming from Ireland. We we so jet-lagged it took Nina and I almost a whole week to get used to it."

For the rest of the three and a half hour flight, the girls talked. They reacalled fond memories of when the sisters met Janyne at the mall. If it wasn't for Janyne, Anna wouldn't have even had a job. They were friends with Janyne from the start.