Olive’s eyes flutter open and shut, squinting at the sunlight streaming through her living room window. Her phone is ringing, and in a drowsy state, she blindly reaches in the direction of the sound. Her hand grazes her bag, vibrating from the buzz of her phone. She clumsily reaches in and answers on the last ring before checking the caller ID.

“Hello?” she answers groggily.

“I KNEW IT!” A high pitched voice shrieks over the other line. 

May…oh no.

Olive’s little sister May is on the other line and she sounds pissed. “I knew you would forget! That’s why I always tell you to write these things—” 

Olive pulls the phone away from her ear, trying to avoid the verbal lashing she’s surely due. As she slowly starts to wake up, Olive realizes that she never made it to her bed. It’s not that she forgot about brunch with her sister; she had just fallen asleep on the couch and forgotten to set an alarm. Before she can further infuriate May, she puts the phone back to her ear. 

“—and it’s a good thing I decided to call or else you would have wasted your Sunday away! I’m heading out now. Get your ass out of bed, Oli. I’m not playing with you!” As she says this, Olive smirks, knowing her sister’s elevated tone is more from excitement than annoyance. They don't get to see each other as often as they used to.

“Okay, okay, chill sis. I’m getting ready.” Olive hangs up before her sister can respond with a string of profanities and sets both feet on the cold tile.

Her phone’s battery is at 30%, and she doesn’t waste time searching for her charger before heading to the bathroom. She looks in the mirror to assess the damage to her hair from sleeping without a bonnet, deciding to tie it into a bun. As she gathers the matted tresses, a flash of silver catches her eye. 

She blinks and notices a silvery curl at the nape of her neck. 

That’s new.

Confusion washes over her, but she doesn't have time to ponder it further. She decides to leave her hair down and grabs a hair claw in case it's humid outside.

Her phone buzzes with a text notification: Love you! See you soon sissy! 😘

What a little drama queen.

Olive rolls her eyes with a smirk as she pulls on a pair of sandy corduroys and sage cardigan. Her brown Docs lay at the door where she kicked them off last night. She shoves them on before grabbing her keys and heads out.

The walk to the bus isn't long and they tend to come frequently around this time. Although being late is not something new for Olive, she feels bad about almost having slept through her brunch with May. They’ve always made time to check in with each other throughout the years. Despite May’s eventful life of backpacking across Europe to pursue her passion for art and fashion, while Olive stayed home to build her career in journalism, the two remained inseparable.

Now in her early 20s, May is back in NYC with a consistent rotation of parties, networking, and social events. Her lively personality and quick wit never fail to charm her next target. Determined to become a professional fashion designer, she's become a pro at talking her way into exclusive opportunities. She still somehow manages to stay grounded in her discipline while staying true to herself. 

I can’t wait to hear about her latest pet project and how she will work her magic to get what she wants… what she deserves. 

As she approaches the bus stop, Olive reminisces on how they used to share in the go-getter mentality, always climbing the social ladder before Olive lost her spark. That doesn't stop May from continuing to be her biggest supporter with a “no bullshit” mentality. 

Having grown up together just 2 years apart in foster homes, their bond is the strongest in their lives. Although they're not biological sisters, they have always been each other's constant, each other's family. They were both fortunate enough to escape the stereotype of abuse during their upbringing but they didn't have it easy. Their foster mother made sure they understood hard work, discipline, and an eloquent vocabulary will get you far. Neither of them ever forgot that.

The bus whines and huffs as it approaches Olive’s stop, its weary noises mirroring the exhaustion of its passengers. The screeching of the brakes is a protest to their function. 

Still foggy from the night before, Olive drags her feet onto the bus. She finds herself feeling suffocated in the crowded vehicle. She has to shove her way through the mass of people just to grab onto a handrail. The bus smells of gasoline and depression, and the man in front of her keeps stumbling back at every turn. As a New Yorker, she’s grown accustomed to the invasion of personal space but today, her senses feel heightened. All it would take is for one more shove, one more bump, one more cough before she—

The bus jerks to a stop and she pushes her way out the second door. Gulping fresher air, she sprints towards Break and Blossom, the all-day brunch spot just steps away. It's a little after 1 pm. and May is sitting at a table on the gated sidewalk patio. When she sees Olive, her face lights up and she waves her over, raising her glass.

“Oli! Sissy! Finally!!” she squeals, looking like the cover of a European Vogue magazine in a form-fitting steel blue turtleneck, paired with black leather pants. Her matching leather jacket and a helmet hang effortlessly from her chair. She stands in excitement, her jet black hair bobbing at her chin. Olive can't help but marvel at the polished look, thinking it’s straight out of a fashion shoot. 

She wants to snap a picture right there when she spots the manila folder clutched in May's manicured hands, a clear indicator she's up to something. In front of her sits an empty glass alongside the full one in her hand, and Olive rolls her eyes at the sight. 

“Hey May…” she sighs, exasperated. “I’m sorry I’m late, I—”

“I know, I know, sis. No need. At least you're here.” May sighs. Olive swears she sees May’s fingers grasp the folder a little tighter, it’s mustard yellow creating a curious contrast against her cooler tones. 

Before Olive can take a breath, May continues. “I know it’s never the right time to talk about things like this but I got a letter in the mail and…” She gestures nervously to the manila folder in her hand. “...and I don't want to beat around the bush because what if it's not that big of a deal, right?” She shrugs nervously before opening her mouth to ramble more.

“May.” Olive interrupts. “It’s me, just say it.” She gives her a warm smile.

“This folder is supposed to hold information about my birth family.” She blurts it out altogether. “It could be something or nothing at all, but I didn't want to open it alone. I’m sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I thought if they didn't get back to me, then that was that…you know? But here it is…” May holds her breath while thrusting the folder in the air between them. She quickly pulls it back to her chest as if embarrassed by the gesture.

With impeccable timing, a server arrives at their table.  “Welcome! May I start you off with anything?” he asks, delaying their intense conversation. Olive, however, appears unfazed, asking for a Bloody Mary and some Espresso Cream Puffs for the table to start. The server nods and melts into the background.

“May?” Olive says again in a hushed tone. She closes the distance between them by placing her hands over May’s trembling ones.

 “Let's take a look. I’m here.” May squeezes her hand in response and takes another deep breath before pulling away to open the letter. 

There is a short silence as May skims through the documents. Olive waits patiently to celebrate or console her.

I know you are strong but seeing disappointment in your eyes would tear me apart sis. I pray to the heavens that you find closure.

“Th-they are in Paris!” May exclaims in a whisper. Neither sadness nor happiness fills her stare. Just shock. “I mean wow…Can you believe that, sissy? Paris… I was there, you know. Just for a few days, but I was there. To think I could have walked past them...” She says to herself, getting lost in thought, but then shakes her head and pauses to read more. “I have a mother and younger brother. They said they want to meet me, Oli…They want to meet ME!” She repeats louder and more confidently.

Just take a sip. 

The rush of emotion creates a bubble in Olive’s throat and she reaches for May’s glass.

She will always be my sister. Nothing will ever change that. I have never wanted anything more than her continued happiness. Although I’m scared for her, I must show a face of strength and support.

“That's amazing! I am so happy for you!” Olive cheers. Olive smiles just as the server returns with her drink. She takes the opportunity to raise her glass and clink it with May’s. The cold bitter liquid washes away the bubble in her throat in time for the server to return with their pastries. Olive and her sister devour them as they discuss what May will do. She decides to start looking at plane tickets for the upcoming holiday season and although she offers Olive to come with her, Olive declines, knowing that May will need to do this on her own. She might be her only family but the holidays alone can't be that bad.

It can't be that bad, right?