In My Sister's Shadow (14 page)

The double doors opened and everyone cheered and waved, shouting words of congrats as the beautiful couple, dressed in their very best, entered the large, crowded room. Mark’s maternal side of the family screamed out congratulations in Spanish while a Cajun band began to stir up the crowd with loud, happy tunes, mixed with English and French southern dripped words. Mark placed his hand on the small of his new bride’s back, stealing another glance at her semi-floating veil. Like a bodyguard, he moved fastidiously behind her, protecting her as he unclipped the ornament from her hair. The joyous and boisterous crowd began to descend upon them.

“Rhine, thank you. I’ve got it from here…” he whispered, before handing Bijou her veil which was quickly snatched out of her hand by her cousin and twirled about in the air like a sheer, white kite…

* * *

As Bijou looked at her veil floating in the air, now being tossed back and forth between her two tall and rail thin, gorgeous cousins with almond shaped eyes and skin the color of rich, dark cocoa, she felt a slight breeze by her ear, followed by the scent of her sister’s familiar perfume. Then, there coolness turned to complete warmth, as if a blanket had been laid lightly over the entire room…

Almost inaudible, the words came, tickling Bijou’s ear. “I love you. Congratulations, big sister…” and then, the feeling of familiarity was gone.

Bijou knew that was it. Right after her confrontation with Rhine was over, she still wondered from time to time why she would occasionally feel her around. It was not a foreboding feeling, but one only true sisters would understand. Now, things had changed. Bijou knew she’d never see, feel or hear Rhine again. In that moment, it was understood that they had loved the same man and ’til death do us part.

It was also plain to see that Rhine would no longer ever be a shadow again, shrouded in shame and confusion, misery and unexplainable manic highs and lows. She could now bask in the light, healed in divine perfection, kissing goodbye her previous emotional torment and now – she was proud.

So proud, she was allowing her big sister to love and be free, no longer as her own private keeper…

THE END

About the Author

Tiana Laveen was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and now resides in Kentucky with her husband and two children. She enjoys a fulfilling and enriching life that includes writing books, drawing, painting, listening to music, cooking, and spending time with friends.

Tiana Laveen is a uniquely creative and innovative author whose romance fiction is geared towards those who not only want to temporarily escape from the daily routines of life, but also delve into social taboo as it pertains to interracial relationships. She creates a painting with words as her readers are guided through the lives of each and every character.

Her prior works include
Cross Climax I
,
Cross Climax II
,
The Slave Master’s Son
,
The Naughty Sins of a Saint
,
I Want Candy, When Saint Goes Marching In
,
Swirled Satin Sheets I
, and
Swirled Satin Sheets II
.

If you wish to contact Tiana Laveen, please contact her at
www.facebook.com/tianalaveen
.