Episode 59: Scene Three
"You can't be serious!"
The sudden exclamation nearly caused Shannon to jump. She quickly hushed her sister. "Macie, I have no other choice. She can't tell Mom and Dad."
"Let me talk to the little hussie. I'll set her straight!"
"As much as I'd love to see her smug face dragged through the mud, which I know you'd do, I can't risk her getting revenge by telling them. If she does, they'll yank me out of school and send me to a rehab program."
"What's wrong with that?"
"I'm getting better! Why does everyone think that I'm not?" Shannon cried out angrily.
Macie eyed Shannon seriously. "When was the last time you smoked a joint?"
Shannon's eyes dropped. "Macie..."
"Tell me!"
"Two weeks ago!" Shannon closed her eyes and yelled. Her cheeks had now flushed to a deep, angry red and her eyes were snapping and blazing at Macie. "God, Macie, just mind your own business!"
"You are my business, Shannon. You're my little sister, for goodness sakes. Maybe Marlo doesn't need to tell Mom and Dad," Macie's voice dropped. "Maybe I do."
"You can't! Macie! You wouldn't!" Shannon sputtered indignantly. Her mouth had opened in disbelief. "I know you. You wouldn't violate my trust in you."
"I have a responsibility as your older sister, too! I can't just let you keep on going downhill. That would be a violation of trust without question!"
"Okay, yelling isn't going to get us anywhere," Shannon's voice quieted. Her eyes shifted to look behind her sister. "Look who's coming."
Macie turned around. Walking up behind her was Marlo, her smuggest smile planted firmly on her face.
"Shannon! You didn't tell me you had a visitor!" Marlo gushed.
"Was there any reason why I was supposed to?" Shannon asked, then paused. "No, I didn't think so."
"May I speak to your for a moment, Shannon?"
"I'm sorry. Could you not see that my sister and I were in the middle of a conversation?" Before Marlo could answer, Macie continued on, "You know, your parents must have kept a little secret from you called self-respect. You don't just go around interrupting people like you are the Queen of England."
"Who the h*ll do you think you are talking to me like this?" Marlo advanced towards Macie.
"Don't even think about it, missy. I'll backhand you so hard you'll fly straight from here to eternity," Macie raised her hand to emphasize her threat.
It was obvious that Marlo was contemplating her next move. After a silence, Marlo backed away. Her eyes were narrowed down upon Shannon. "Big sis won't be here to save your butt all the time, Shannon. We have work to do, and you're not going to back out of it."