Tick Tock

arco viewed the lively squirrel scampering around from his living room window as it ran from one tree to another and then up the second tree. As Marco sank down in the big, puffy armchair he wondered if his sister, Alice would be arriving soon so they could celebrate her 30th birthday with the dinner he ordered using Door Dash with cake and champagne he got on the way home from work. 

Their parents had both passed away years ago and it was just the two of them now. He had adored his sister from the time they were children. Alice was two years older than Marco and they never had sibling rivalry and Alice's ability to achieve any goal she set was a source of pride for Marco. As a child he wanted to be just like Alice and now he was happy for her rise to being second in command at a big corporation. He himself had not achieved such prestige but was content working at a CPA firm as one of many employed at that office. 

Marco got up and walked into his kitchen to get the silverware out and set two place settings with napkins on the table. When he got back to the living room Alice was at the front door and he let her in. After taking her coat and hanging it up, he sat down with her for a pre-dinner chat with a cocktail just like old times when they still lived at home while attending college. Door Dash brought their dinner and they ate at the table while sharing old stories of their childhood. They had been left on their own as children quite frequently as their parents both had jobs and many evenings they had social obligations that took them out and about attending fund raisers and such. They got into much mischief on their own such as the time they thought they could drive the riding mower around the block but didn't realize it was tipsy on hills until they tried to drive it up the Jones front hill and it toppled over on top of Marco and Alice. As they were only bruised it made for a good story to share on and off over the years. 

Alice protected her brother from bullies who liked to taunt Marco during their youth. He was small for his age which made him an easy target for kids who like to target weaker and smaller children. She was always good to Marco and even like a mother to him while also sharing many adventures with him throughout their childhood. When she moved into her own apartment, Marco was bummed yet they stayed in touch via texting and phone calls and they always spent each of their birthdays with each other either having dinner or at least a drink to celebrate. 

Marco lived a quiet life that suited him just fine. Occasionally he met a co-worker for a drink after work but he didn't have any real friends and certainly did not invite others over. He loved his private life and only wished he could see more of Alice as they always had such a great time talking and reminiscing about their fun childhood escapades and how Alice could always outwit the bullies who picked on Marco and he could not imagine life without his best friend and protector in his world.

Two years ago Marcus was in a terrible car accident where he was T-boned on the passenger side of the vehicle by a drunk driver. He went to the hospital with a fractured arm but that was the worst of it. Alice kept in close contact during his recovery and he knew he was very fortunate to have such a wonderful sister who was also his best friend. He knew that for him life without her would not be worth living. 

Now as he sat talking to Alice and drinking Champagne he felt a warm affection for his sister and was thankful to be with her on her birthday. She had many friends and a casual boyfriend but she picked Marcus to spend her birthday with. That made him feel special and very happy. He realized that Alice hadn't touched her champagne yet. He felt bad for not noticing sooner and was about to ask her if everything was okay when his phone rang. The caller was his aunt Mary who wanted to check in and see how Marcus was doing. Marcus said he was great and asked if she wanted to talk to Alice also. There was a long pause on the phone and then Mary replied with a wavering voice that Alice couldn't be with Marcus as Alice had died in the accident Marcus was in and had been in the passenger seat when the car was t-boned by the drunk driver. 

Marcus hung up on his aunt in disbelief. He went to tell Alice about the nutty thing Mary had said but Alice wasn't there. Only one dinner had been eaten and one glass of champagne was empty. 

Marcus shook his head, poured a second glass of champagne for himself and carried on his conversation with Alice. He knew she could never leave him alone in the world. He would always have her as his protector and she would always have him as a loyal friend. Two closer siblings could not be found and he knew he was a fortunate brother to have such a sister who was also a best friend. He couldn't continue with life without Alice and he knew there bond was unbreakable and forever.

He had a special birthday present for her that he got from her favorite jewelry store and he went to fetch it. It was a beautifully wrapped tennis bracelet and he was certain Alice would love it. He brought it out from the back bedroom and set it on the table in front of Alice.

It was still there the next day when Marcus woke up.