1.14: Family Ties
Act I
(It was a nice day, so Shanice and Raymond took Nicole out to the mall for the day. If Erika hadn’t had to go to school that day, Shanice might have took her along too. Shanice enjoyed telling Raymond how close she was becoming to her little sister.)
Shanice: … I never really felt it before, that sister feeling. But you know , she never needed me, none of them did. They had super big brother Francisco and there mom. They took care of everything. But now, Erika needs an older woman to relate to. Someone who’s not her mom. And— why are you smiling like that.
Raymond: It’s nothing, it’s just, I’m remembering what you use to say. ‘They’re not my family, not really.’
Shanice: I guess I never really believed that, I just, I didn’t feel like I belonged. And now, I’m the one she looks up to.
Raymond: You ever think you were jealous before?
Sharice: Jealous of what?
Raymond: Of Francisco’s big brother role, how they all looked up to him. Maybe you thought you couldn’t compete. Maybe you always thought he would have a connection with them that you couldn’t possibly have. It made it harder to reach out to them and you just gave up on it and distanced yourself.
Sharice: Maybe, I never really thought about it too much. It was just easier to resent it all.
Raymond: Well I’m glad you feel more like your family is your family. It’s better for all of you.
Sharice: Me too.
