kathrynes childhood

Kathryne’s pink party dress lay across the bed, set aside from her other clothes along with her matching pumps and a pearlescent ribbon for her hair. I could hear her humming to herself in the next room, as she took the curlers out of her hair, and ran her fingers through perfect blonde ringlets. The guests would start arriving at our house soon, and I could only hope that Kathryne would be on her best behaviour. She may be the eldest, but it often felt as if I was the one looking after her. Our family was wealthy and therefore well known, so our reputation and public image depended on it. If she embarrassed us at our own dinner party, our father would never let either of us forget it.

“Penelope,” I heard her call, startling me out of my thoughts.

“Yes, Kathy?” I answered obediently, slipping on my frilly blue dress.

“Would you come help me fix my hair? The first guests are arriving and Mother wants the whole family to all be there to welcome them, so make it quick!” she said haughtily. I finished adjusting my skirt and scampered into the bathroom, tying her hair up gently. She feigned a smile and we rushed to the front door, just in time for our parents to open the door to a dozen smiling guests.

“Welcome, everybody!” my father said in his loud, booming voice, and in streamed the party guests and their children, dressed to the 10’s. As Mother and Father greeted them each, Kathryne and I each silently judged their outfits.

~

Later in the afternoon, our father took his guests to the big open living room to smoke cigars with him. Our mother, Kathryne, and I followed quietly. We were each growing tired of catering to his guests and their children, but we did as Father told us. Kathryne and I sat beside our parents and the guests by the fireplace, watching the guest’s children play with toys from our younger years. Suddenly, Kathryne nudged me. I sighed and looked up at her. She wore a small smile on her face and whispered for me to come with her. She asked our parents to be excused, and scurried out of the room giggling quietly. I got up and followed her to the garden, ever obedient.

~

When we arrived outside, I felt Kathryne press something into my hand. We’d walked pretty far into our garden, and the light from the house shone dimly onto my palm when I opened it, just barely bright enough for me to see what she’d given me. A cigar.

“Kathy! How’d you get this?” I exclaimed loudly. Kathryne slammed a hand over my mouth and collapsed in a fit of giggles.

“Ugh! Penny, hush!” she said, when she caught her breath. “You’re such a baby. I took it from Father’s cigar box, dummy! Where do you think I’d get it? Don’t you want to try it?”

I grimaced and looked up at her quizzically.

“Why would I? They smell awful, they probably taste awful too.”

She laughed and slipped a matchbox out of her dress pocket, lighting a match and holding the flame to the cigar. She took a puff of it, exhaled the smoke out her nose, and coughed. When she caught her breath, she smiled at me toothily and offered it to me.

“Kathryne, I don’t want any part in this, okay?” I said, moving to get up and walk back to the house. She grabbed my arm and forcefully pulled me back.

“Penny, just do it. It’s not gonna kill you. Stop being such a baby.” she hissed. Her face quickly changed from that of amusement to anger. I shivered, shook my arm free, and shuffled back towards her. I knew Kathryne- how she was- and I knew that if I didn’t do this now, she’d do something awful later. I took the cigar from her and pretended to inhale. I figured it was dark enough to conceal my little trick. I feigned a few small coughs and spit on the ground, as if to signal to her that I didn’t like the taste. Kathryne sneered at me and I frowned at her shakily.

“Alright, I did it. Can we go back in now?” I asked, exasperated. She snickered and took another long puff, exhaling slowly.

“I dare you to carry it back in with you, right out in the open. Just strut right in with it in your mouth.” She smirked at me. “I dare you, Penny. And if you don’t do it, I’m telling Mother you made me take it. And you know she always believes me.” She looked me dead in the eyes and smiled sweetly. I was so taken aback at this that I stumbled backwards and fell on my behind. I tried to run back towards the house, but Kathryne grabbed at my dress and dragged me towards her, ripping the soft tulle of my skirt. I gathered the fabric up in my arms and started towards the house, trying to yank my arm away from her- but she held fast and dug her nails into my skin. She held the cigar to my face with her free hand, and I turned my face away from it’s heat.

“Do it, Penny.” she growled. I strained against her grip.

“You’re sick, Kathy. You know how angry Mother and Father will be if their party is ruined this way. Why would you want that? Why embarrass them?” I said, trying to pry her fingers away from my arm. Then, I had an idea. I leaned down, putting my free hand on my thigh and hanging my head, as if to catch my breath. Her grip loosened-- and I bit her hand as hard as I could. Kathryne stumbled away, holding her wounded hand close to her chest. Her mouth hung open, as if surprised that I would fight back. Grabbing a conveniently placed garden hose, I sprayed her with water to slow her down, and darted through the garden towards the house- leaving Kathryne and crushed plants in my wake.

~

When I reached the house, I found my father and pulled him aside. Exhausted, I quietly told him everything that had just happened, showing him my ruined dress and all.

“I’m glad you didn’t embarrass me in front of our company, Penelope. I was wondering where that cigar had gotten to. Your sister will be punished as soon as I-'' His booming voice was interrupted suddenly. The door to the garden slammed against the wall as Kathryne made her entrance.

“Where is Penelope?” she screeched. The whole house went silent. Her clothes were sopping wet and ripped where I’d bit her, her usually perfect blonde ringlets were droopy, and pristine makeup was dripping. “She did this to me! ” she roared.

My mother and father ran towards her. Mother cradled her, wiping her tears, but Father quickly filled her in and her concerned gaze turned to a stern, piercing look. Mother grabbed Kathryne’s arm and she strained against her towards me, gnashing her teeth. Sure, what Kathryne had done and said wasn’t life threatening, but now she’d embarrassed my parents at a very important event. Mother was able to partially pacify her, wrapped her in a towel, and guided her to her room. Kathryne wailed and pounded at our parents arms, trying to get free. She knew she was in big trouble now. She turned to face me as they reached the top of the stairs and glared. I waved. I knew I’d get hell for this eventually, but at least for now I would get a break from the whirlwind that is my sister.