It had been a treacherous drive for Craig to pick up his sister Amy. The roads were hazardously slicked with snow and ice. When combined with the diminished visibility and the rush of holiday traffic, it made for a terrible Christmas Eve commute. He had barely made the short drive to Amy's apartment safely and was very concerned about their welfare for the long drive that awaited them.
Craig and Amy were sophomores at separate colleges in upstate Pennsylvania. Her apartment was on the way back to their parents' house several hours away, and he agreed to pick up his sister for the ride home.
The icy snow made little tinkling noises as it fell from the cold winter sky in the background to the crunching of his feet on the ice encrusted concrete. He carefully tramped his way along the walkway to his sister's apartment. Each frozen square sparkled with tiny reflections from the light cast from the lamp posts. He could feel his anxiety growing stronger with each step closer to the door. A long car ride alone with Amy was the last thing he wanted to do, let alone in dangerous winter weather on Christmas Eve.
He knocked on the door, waiting as he could hear her footsteps coming closer and the door unlatch. An additional wave of dread swept through him as the door swung open. Amy nervously stood at the entrance as the light from her warm apartment cast across them.
"Merry Christmas, Craig." She nervously greeted him.
People never believed they were brother and sister because they looked nothing alike. In fact, they weren't even the same ethnicity. Craig was a tall, lean Caucasian man with short sandy blonde hair. Amy on the other hand was a very slim, petite Asian girl with long black hair. Craig's parents adopted Amy when they were both a year old. Amy was five months younger than her adoptive brother. Her adoption seemed to be the root cause of their troubled relationship.
"Thanks, are you ready to go?" He mumbled.
"I am, but we can't go. The turnpike is closed because of accidents and ice. We're stuck here."
"Are you serious? What are we supposed to do?" He angrily replied.
"We're going to have to stay here and wait out the storm."
Craig looked down at his snow covered shoes as his face flushed with irritation. Spending the night at his sister's tiny apartment was an even less palatable choice than driving home on the dangerous roads.
"Just come in and calm down....Please?" The "Please" that followed Amy's request was uttered especially softly and hopefully.
"OK, but I'm going to call Mom." Craig said, fighting back his disappointment and anger.
"She knows. I already called her."
"I should talk to her too." He said as he pulled out his cell phone and dialed his parent's number.
"Mom, it's Craig. I'm at Amy's right now. I don't think we'll be there tonight."
"I know. Amy called a few minutes earlier. She told me about the road closure and the weather. It's bad out there. Just stay put, be smart, and be safe." Their mother replied.
"I was hoping to spend Christmas with you and Dad."
"It's ok if you don't get home until tomorrow. I just want you and Amy safe."
"Yea, I know. Our safety is important." Craig mumbled.
"You sound annoyed, is that all?"
"Yes!" Craig huffed.
"Are you sure it's because you don't want to be with your sister?"
"I just want to get home and..."
"Craig, it's time you and Amy stopped this childish squabbling. You're adults now and it's time to end your childish rivalries, disputes, or whatever you want to call it. It's time to bury whatever acrimony you two have and see each other for what you are -- two smart and loving people who are bonded together as family. There is no good reason for you two not to get along at this point in your lives. Be nice to your sister, and I'll see you tomorrow when the roads are safe." Their mother lectured.
"OK Mom. We'll see you when we can. Love you and Merry Christmas." Craig replied.
"Love you too, and think about what I said."
"So, what's the plan?" Craig asked as he ended the call and turned to Amy.
"Well, looks like you'll be sleeping here, but you're not going to like the sleeping arrangements."
"Dare I ask what the arrangements are?" Craig said as he looked around the small apartment.
"Well, it's a small efficiency apartment. So I only have the kitchenette, a bathroom, and the main room with the fold out bed. It's perfect for a college student. Not so good for overnight visitors."
"So, we're sharing a bed tonight?"
"I'm sorry, but it's more comfortable than the floor. Can we make the best of this, please?" She meekly replied.
Craig just put his hands in his pockets and forced a grin as he looked down at his shoes. He knew there was no fighting the situation.
"OK. But I don't have anything proper to sleep in. Are you cool if I just wear my boxers and a shirt?"
"Look, we grew up together. We lived in the same house for 19 years. We should be able to handle this."
Together they unfolded the trundle bed to convert the sofa for sleeping. After the bed was ready, Amy slipped off to the bathroom to change into a set of flannel pajamas while Craig just stripped down to his boxers and a t shirt. Apprehensively, the pair slipped under the sheets and blankets. The bed was surprisingly roomy and comfortable, but neither could drift off to sleep.
"Mom gave you her spiel? That this is the opportunity for us to finally get along?" Amy asked.
"Yea, she did." Craig sighed.
"She gave me the speech before you arrived. I never understood your animosity towards me all this time. We could have had some great times growing up, combining our friends and hanging out around the house and the pool." Amy lamented.
