DELUGE // Paul Lahote

The chill of a Pacific Northwest winter still clung to the air, but inside Emily Young’s cozy kitchen, the scent of chocolate chip muffins promised warmth. Sunday Uley, having just descended the stairs, trotted to the counter, snagging a muffin with practiced ease.

"Good morning, Sunny," Emily beamed, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Morning," Sunday mumbled around a mouthful of pastry, already feeling the familiar comfort of her future sister-in-law’s presence. This was her refuge, her escape from the unspoken tension that still hung between her and Sam, her older brother.

"You're just in time, Sam is on his way," Emily informed her, a soft smile pursing into a dejected frown as Sunday’s content features morphed into annoyance. "Should be anytime now."

Sunday gave a huff, snatching another muffin. "Okay, thanks for breakfast, I'll see you later." She turned for the front door, her escape plan already forming.

"Sunny," Emily’s voice, suddenly serious, froze her in place. "School starts back on Monday. Don't you think you've left him hanging long enough?"

A pang of guilt pierced Sunday’s chest. Not for Sam, but for forcing Emily into the uncomfortable role of mediator. She still had three days of winter break left, three days of blessed, brother-free reprieve.

"I still have three days, Em. Can't I just have that?" she pleaded, turning to face Emily. She knew Emily was a sucker for her, practically helping Sam raise her. Emily sighed, a heavy sound. "Alright, but only three days. Or I'm going to have to call an intervention."

Sunday offered a forced, lopsided grin. "Of course, so I'll see you later." And she widened her steps for the door. "Quoia is picking me up!" she yelled back, already out the door and heading for the tree line, ready to hide from Sam’s truck.

Emily watched from the window as Sunday’s pastel shirt disappeared among the trees. Two and a half weeks. That’s how long it had been since the Uley siblings had truly spoken.