Chasing A Spider- Severed Ties 4

   I called my sister to inform her of my investigation into our brother’s murder. I didn’t expect enthusiasm, but I didn’t expect total indifference either. “It was bound to happen and now it’s over so let it go.” Alice said in a bored tone. “He was beaten, stabbed, and then dumped in an old shed where he rotted for twenty years.” I replied indignantly. “Gil never cared what happened to him and it’s too late for me to care now.” Alice irritably shot back.

   My sister’s jaded apathy was somewhat understandable because like me, she was routinely wronged by our older brother who was the joy of our mother’s life despite the pain he caused her. It’s peculiar how a few hollow words and a winning smile can supersede genuine feelings of those who truly care. Gil could talk mother out of money, food, clothes and love–all of which were never reciprocated.

   “Doane, if you want to look into Gil’s murder then do it, but I suggest you leave it to the cops and you go back to your seedy underworld catching cheating spouses and thieving scoundrels because murder is out of your league.” Alice said, wanting desperately to get off the phone. “He’s our brother, Alice.” I replied. “He’s dead, Doane.”

   Alice left home at nineteen and moved out west, where she met and married an insurance salesman who provided her with a comfortable life. I’ve never met her husband or children and probably never will. Alice did okay for herself and is apparently happy the way her life turned out, but the tone in her voice conveys an emptiness that one gets from being unfulfilled.

   Or maybe misery just wants some company.