Two Sisters and a Mic

By Always Pencil

Prologue

Janeisa and Jessica. Two sisters born in East Philadelphia. They were actually more then sisters, best friends. Nothing could tear them apart.

Jessica was the oldest by one year. Being so, she felt it was her duty to protect Janeisa from anything that was considered a threat. Jessica was smart and caring, would give up a lot for just a little, no matter the outcome.

Janeisa was caring and smart as well, but in a different manner. She only cared about those who she trusted. The only person who that would actually be, would be her best friend and sister, Jessica.

"Jessie, look what I found!" Janeisa screamed with joy when she found a lost puppy playing in water in front of their apartment building in East Philly. "We should keep him." She picked him up.

"Don't touch him Janie, you'll get mud on your dress," Jessica said stepping back just a little.

Janeisa stood up as the puppy licked her face. She laughed. "I like him."

"Put him down."

"No!" she screamed to her sister when no second thought.

"You'll get dirty!"

"I don't care. I don't like wearing this dress."

The front door to the apartment opened and their mother, Deborah, and father, Jeremiah, came out in all black clothes. Their mother was crying of course, and their father was holding her close.

"Girls, get in the car," Jeremiah said. He looked at the wet and dirty pitbull in his daughter's arms. "Put that damn dog down. What the hell is wrong with you girl?"

"Let me keep him."

She looked at him with pleading eyes. He couldn't resist.

"Clean him up with the hose. Make it quick. We have to get to the funeral in twenty minutes."

-----

"I'm gonna name you...Jewel," she said holding the happy puppy tight.

Jessica looked at Jewel and then Janeisa. She smiled. She said, "Keep her away from my stuff though."

"She's all mine!"

The family of four was going to a funeral. Deborah's mother had died and the girls were missing the first day of school. Jessica was starting seventh grade and Janeisa was starting sixth.

"Sorry about making you two miss the first day of school," Jeremiah said. "I'll write a note for you tomorrow morning. But you two don't mind missing school do you?"

"Yeah, I mind," Jessica snapped at her father. She didn't intend to but she went along with it. "I actually like school. And I was suppose to meet up with Alex today at lunch. I had plans."

Jeremiah was not happy with the idea of his oldest daughter dating. "Plans with a fourteen year old?"

"Not like that. He wanted to talk to me about my poetry."

"Jessica's got a boyfriend!"

"Shut up!" She pushed her sister and the puppy fell in her lap.

-----

After the funeral Jessica went in her room and pulled out her pajamas to get ready for bed. She grabbed her towel and some shower gel her mom had bought her a week ago. She went in the bathroom and took her shower.

Upon return she noticed that her door was open and her father was sitting on her bed. She walked in and looked at him. She was a little surprised.

"Dad?"

Jeremiah looked at her. "Hey sweetie."

Jessica looked in his eyes. "What are you doing here?"

He stood up. "Nothin' just wanted to talk you is all."

"Can I get some clothes on?"

"It'll only take a sec."

Jessica was hesitant about sitting down but she did anyways.

Jeremiah looked at her. "You're growing up Jessica and I want you to be careful about the choices you make. You're my shining star. I know I tell both you and your sister that but you both are bond to be something big." He put his arm around her. "I love you."

Jessica had to admit that she was a little uncomfortable. She smelt the liquor on his breath and when he was this nice that meant he wanted something. Something he knew he shouldn't have.

"Dad, I can't..."

"Sshh, baby girl," he put a finger to her lips. "I'll go slow this time."

He stood up and shut the door. Janeisa was there. The last thing she saw that night, her sister wrapped in a towel scared for her life.