SHE COULD SMELL GAS

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I have a little sister, who loves making troubles and looking for a fight he can't win. Though I still love him.
I was eight when Dad left Mom, she begged him to take us back, but Dad hardened his heart towards us, just because his family members don't seem to like my mother. They accused her of witchcraft practices, saying she bewitched him to marry my mother. Dad didn't want to hear her out or consider his own children, he drove us out, saying we are products of devilish trees. Mommy has to raise us by herself.

Living in the street of Oklahoma city is not easy, you have to be bold and brave. Also be ready to run. Mommy had me and my five years old sister (Kara) indoors, even when she was up for her night shift. she would always hire a nanny, not because I can't take care of everything when she's gone, but my little sister is a pain in the ass. At home we are like cats and dogs. Always fighting.

Kara is just a little child filled with lots of energy, he has that mean look and rough brown hair. Oh God! She's so stubborn. She just derives joy in looking for fault's and also when you are so pissed. Well, Mom has tried her best in disciplining her. But still, it's only making it worse. She kept saying with time, She will change. Sometimes, I feel like packing her into a carton and waybilling her to an unknown destination. But I just can't do it.

One Saturday afternoon, Mom came back home with lots of shopping bags. She went to buy foodstuffs that will serve us throughout next week. She was about to prepare today's meal, when she forgot to get an item at the nearby supermarket. So then she called out my name.
"Sarah.. Sarah..." She yelled

"Yes Mom" I ran towards the direction of her voice. As my little sister followed, always poke nosing.

"Sarah.... Good as your little sister is here. I'm going back to the nearby supermarket to get an item. Please don't touch anything in this kitchen. I will be back soon."

"Yes Mom" I replied, giving her that look of assurance.
Just as she stepped out, my plan to make myself a creamy hot chocolate tea, would soon be actualized. But my little sister interrupted.
"Mommy said not to touch anything."

"Shut up, I know what I'm doing." I told her as I turned the knob of the gas cylinder valve.

"Mommy said, don't touch!" My younger sister picked up an onion on the desk and threw it at me, I ducked just in time. It sailed past me and struck the valve of the cylinder knocking the hose off.

In a rage, I ran after my sister as she scampered off, forgetting the gas I had just opened. I didn't even notice the gas seeping out from the opened valve. At the moment, I felt like beating the hell out of him. She was screaming for help, but I made sure her voice would not be heard and I did shut her up.
Suddenly we heard a knock at the door, my little sister vowed to report to Mother what I did to him, but I knew making a deal with her was the only thing that could shut her up. So I agreed to her terms. I ran towards the door, to welcome mom. But her face looked perplexed, like her nose was trying to pick a smell. Just as she was searching for something. My mind ran towards the gas I left on. But I was scared now to talk.

She stepped into the kitchen to drop the item she bought, as she discovered the smell was coming from there and it was so strong.

"Oh My God, the gas is leaking." She shouted
She quickly turned off the cylinder valve. Now my heart was skipping, "who did this?" Her eyes turned towards me.

"Open all the windows immediately, so that the smell would let out" she ordered.
She ordered us outside. I know I was at fault, but I was too scared to talk. I was waiting for her to ask, that I would have no choice but to give an answer. I couldn't read her face, her mood wasn't calm neither angry because we almost set the house on fire. Her face was expressionless. Like it was set in stone.

"Who turned on the gas cooker? she asked. Her face was hard this time.

"Mommy, it was Sarah"
I couldn't believe that stubborn little Sister of mine, sold me out so fast . I was speechless

"Yes! Sarah is that true" she inquired

"Mom, I'm so sorry. It's my fault, please forgive me"
Mommy always had a big heart, but this time I would be disciplined. I can't escape this.
She looked at me. Slowly her anger went away.

"Sarah, do you want to make us homeless? And destroy everything I have built? Henceforth no video games, no Television. You both are grounded for a week."
My joy was she included my little sister into my punishment. The little snitched deserved it.

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9 comments
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This is such a delightful, well-written story, @ubani1. The characters are relatable. Anyone who has grown up with a sibling will recognize the back and forth between Sarah and Kara. You set the backdrop nicely: the mother is left to provide for her children and so the three of them are on their own.

Dialogue in the piece is believable. You use vernacular terms well. And, Mom's reaction is proportional to Sarah's 'crime'.

A very good job, @ubani1. Thank you for posting this story in the Ink Well community.

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Thank you so much for your support. I Promise to do better😊

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A very enjoyable story, @ubani1. It has a very good story arc, with suspense, well-defined characters and a good resolution at the end. Well done!

As usual, I will share a tip with you. :-)

In your story, you have three females - a mother and two sisters. This means all of your pronouns should be female pronouns. So every instance of "he" should be "she", every instance of "him" should be "her", and every instance of "his" should be "hers."

For example, the words in bold should be "she" and "her":

I have a little sister, who loves making troubles and looking for a fight he can't win. Though I still love him.

I think there are a few other instances, but that was the most startling because it's the opening line. I hope that helps!

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Oh my bad, typo error.😑

Thank you for the correction and support. I'll make amendment next time.

God bless❤

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