Chapter 1Sisters

Luna Begay sat hunched over her desk, surrounded by piles of books, university brochures, and assorted notebooks and pens. Her desk was as ordered and precise as the rest of her side of the room, which was in stark contrast with her sister’s side. She glanced up from her book, her eyes resting on Issy’s unmade bed and taking in the chaos. Issy had coloured scarves draped over her lamp, clothes tossed haphazardly over her chair and bed, and her desk was covered with fashion magazines, a sketchbook, coloured pencils and, for some odd reason, one shoe. It was the biggest bedroom so they had a massive closet, which her parents agreed Issy needed for all of her clothes. But with only two bedrooms in their little house, it was a sacrifice their parents gladly made.

Issy was only one year younger than seventeen-year-old Luna, but the girls were as close as twins. They had been each other’s best friend for as long as they could remember and were currently refusing to face the fact that they would be separated next year when Luna went away to university. If things kept going as well as they always had, Luna would have her pick of schools. She was at the top of her class and had never seen a B on her report card. She looked away from the biology textbook she was studying and glanced idly at the brochures. U of T and McGill were at the top of her list . . . both had excellent literature programs but Issy was pushing her toward U of T so they could stay in the same city when she got into Ryerson’s fashion design school the following year.

“How’s the studying going?” Issy blew into the room like a hurricane. She dove onto Luna’s bed and wrapped her arms around her pillow. “What the hell are you listening to? It sounds like a bag of cats.”

“Don’t mess up my bed. It’s a drum circle. And what exactly does a bag of cats sound like?”

Issy propped herself up on one elbow.

“Exactly like this. Why are you listening to a drum circle?”

“Because I have an interest in our culture, unlike you.”

“I have an interest! I’m just not up to dancing on the powwow trail, unlike you. What are you studying?”

Issy flipped idly through the latest issue of Vogue. Luna looked over at her, blowing a strand of jet-black hair out of her eyes.

“I’m doing a research paper on the rise of diabetes in Aboriginal people.”

“Diabetes? Why diabetes?”

“Because it’s a serious issue for our people, Is.”

“Are you serious? Hey! Can I have your notes next year?”

Luna laughed. “Sure.”

Issy jumped back up.

“If you’re almost done, I could use your help with dinner. Mom and Dad will be home soon and I have no idea what to do with the hamburger we took out this morning. And . . . I hate to bring this up . . . but it’s your night to make dinner!”

“I know, I know. I’m sorry, Is. But I have a big Bio test tomorrow.”

Issy rolled her eyes at her and pushed herself off the bed.

“I saw that. I’ll help. Just give me one more minute.”

“That’s what you said an hour ago. We have half an hour until Mom and Dad expect dinner. Can you please come and help me?” Issy stood over her, hands on her hips.

Luna sighed. “Fine. I’ll come.”

She closed her textbook and stood up.

“See? I’m coming.” She followed Issy out of the bedroom and into the kitchen.

“So what should we make?” Luna opened the refrigerator and surveyed its contents, then opened the freezer.

Issy looked over to the a package of hamburger meat on the counter.

“Tacos?”

“Nah. We already had tacos this week.”

Luna opened the package of ground beef and tipped it into a pan and started frying it.

“Okay,” Issy smirked. “Indian tacos . . . because you’re so into our culture and all.”

Luna threw a dishtowel at her, which Issy caught with one hand.

“So what are we making?”

“I’m going to make a hamburger stew,” Luna answered. When she saw Issy wrinkle her nose, she added, “It’ll be good! Grab the frozen veggies and some broth. I’m going to mix up some dumplings.”

The girls were cleaning up when the front door opened and their parents walked in. They both looked exhausted. Their father had been working since early that morning at the convenience store he owned with his brother, and his face was shadowed by a day’s worth of scruff. Their mother had worked the morning shift at the hospital cafeteria and then went to school. The armload of nursing books was perilously close to falling as she smiled at the girls. Just as they tipped over, Luna swooped in and grabbed them.

“Thanks, honey. Is dinner ready?”

Luna deposited the books on an end table.

“Yeah. Go get washed up and Issy and I will have it ready for you.”

“Thank you. We’re starving!”

Her father leaned down and kissed Luna on the cheek.

“How was your day, girls?” he asked.

Issy walked in, putting a basket of bread on the table.

“Good!” she said, hugging him. “I auditioned for the school play and I completely crushed it.” She twirled away, back into the kitchen.

Luna smiled. “Les Miserables is amazing! Victor Hugo had a real understanding of issues like injustice and prejudice. And the play has some really good roles for Issy. My day was good, too. Got my English paper back. Ninety-eight per cent.”

“That’s amazing, Luna! We’re so proud of you.”

“Thanks. Go get washed up, then come in for dinner.”

She went back and ladled out the stew into crockery bowls, topping each with a steaming hot dumpling.

Issy walked past her, carrying a tossed salad.

“Can you grab the dressing, Luna?” she called over her shoulder.

“Sure.” 
Luna reached into the fridge and grabbed two bottles of salad dressing and the Frank’s RedHot sauce for the stew. Her parents were already sitting down at the table when she walked in. Issy was entertaining them with stories about the auditions.

“So he’s up there, singing his little heart out, right?” She looked around to make sure everyone was riveted to her story. “And he drops to his knees and he throws his arms in the air and starts doing jazz hands. I swear to God, actual jazz hands.”

Her parents laughed.

“Who was this?” Luna asked.

“Gordie.”

“He tried out for the play?”

“I know, right? It was hilarious. He should stick to the chess club.”

“So how was your day, Dad?” Luna forked in another mouthful of dumpling.

“Same as always.” He shrugged. “The store’s really busy and we’re trying to figure out a new schedule. I’d prefer to work more day shifts. Those night shifts kill me.”

Their mother nodded. “I know what you mean. You do a night shift and it’s hard to catch back up during the day.”

Issy reached for the salad dressing.

“How was school, Mom?”

“Good! It’s a good class. I’m really enjoying this one.”

“What are you taking this term?” Luna asked.

“Human Sexuality.”

The girls looked at each other, then at their father as he choked on his water.

“Are you okay, Dad?” Issy asked, grinning.

“Yeah. I’m good. So tell us about your day, Luna,” he asked, begging her to change the subject with his eyes.

Luna winked at Issy.

“Other than getting my paper back, it was pretty uneventful. So, Mom, tell us more about your class.”

Their father took a last spoonful of his dinner and stood up.

“I’ll clear the table!” he announced, grabbing Luna’s bowl and rushing from the room.

The women laughed.

“You girls are so mean.”

“You started it!” Issy giggled. “And now he’s cleaning up.”

Luna stood up and took the other plates.

“I’ll help him,” she said, then laughed. “That was pretty awesome though.”

She smiled and left the room, the sound of their laughter following her the whole way.