– Look at her, all dressed up, – one old woman grumbled. – Running off to meet some boyfriend, no doubt. No worries, no troubles. All she thinks about is having fun. – You’re right, she flutters through life like a butterfly. She doesn’t need anything.
Emma touched up her lipstick and glanced in the mirror. Perfect. Time to head to work.
She flew out of the apartment building entrance and smiled at the elderly ladies sitting on the bench. – Good morning, ladies!
– Good morning, good morning, – the old women nodded.
She waved to them and disappeared around the corner of the building. – Look at her, all dressed up, – one old woman grumbled. – Running off to meet some boyfriend, no doubt. No worries, no troubles. All she thinks about is having fun. – You’re right, she flutters through life like a butterfly. Gets dressed, puts on makeup, and dashes out of the house for the whole day.
Emma got off the bus and walked briskly toward the shop. – Aunt Vera, good morning! – she greeted the saleswoman. – I’m a bit late, but don’t worry, I’ll clean everything quickly. I’ll be done before opening. – I’m not worried at all, – the saleswoman smiled. – I know you’re a reliable and quick girl.
Emma took a mop and cloth from the back room and started cleaning. – I have classes until the second period today, – she continued the conversation. – So I rested a little. – The owner left you extra pay today, more than usual. He likes your work. – That’s wonderful, – Emma said happily. She wanted to say something else, but her phone rang. – Hello. – Anastasia? – a male voice sounded. – Alex recommended you. I urgently need an essay on “Continued Fractions.” I know the price. Can you write it? It has to be ready by Monday. – Hmm, – Emma thought. – The deadline is tight. Okay, I’ll take it. Send me all the details in a message and call me back tomorrow evening. – How do you manage to do everything? – the saleswoman wondered.
After classes, Emma took the bus and headed to the children’s home. – Hello, Uncle Stephen, – she greeted the security guard. – Have you seen my Lily? – She’s been sitting on the bench since morning. Waiting for you.
Emma looked around. She didn’t spot Lily right away. The girl was sitting alone, head lowered. Emma quietly approached and covered her eyes with her hands. – Guess who? – she whispered softly. – Emma! – the girl cried out and turned around. – When are you going to take me home? I’m so tired of waiting. I feel so bad without you, – her eyes filled with tears. – I want to be with you. You promised me. – Don’t cry, sweetheart, – Emma hugged her sister. – The commission is on Monday. They promised everything will be fine. I have two official jobs and a scholarship. As soon as I complete the guardianship paperwork, you won’t spend another minute here. Mum and Dad are helping us from heaven. They’re watching over us and smiling, so don’t upset them. Just be patient a little longer. – Okay, I won’t cry, – Lily muttered, wiping her nose. – I’ll wait a bit more. Will you come tomorrow? – I’ll come, sweetheart, I’ll definitely come, – she kissed her sister. – I’ve already been to the kindergarten you’ll go to. The teacher there is really nice. You’ll like it. Don’t be sad, little sister. We’ll get through this, – she glanced at her watch. – Oh, I have to go. I’m late for work. I love you. – I love you too, – Lily hugged her tightly.
Emma returned home late. She kicked off her shoes, washed her face, drank some tea, opened her laptop, and got to work. She needed to write that essay. The money was good, and they really needed it right now.
Emma and Lily had lost their parents three years ago. They weren’t separated. A year later Emma graduated and returned to their parents’ apartment.
But she couldn’t live there – everything reminded her of happier times. She exchanged the apartment for another one closer to the children’s home and her sister. Now her main goal in life was to bring Lily home.
Emma touched up her lips, straightened Lily’s blouse, and checked herself in the mirror. Everything was perfect. They could go out.
The girls left the building entrance unhurriedly. Emma smiled at the old ladies on the bench. – Good morning, ladies! – Hello, – Lily said and took her sister’s hand. – Good morning, good morning, – the old women nodded.
They headed toward the nearest kindergarten. – Where did our little flirt get a child from? – one old woman wondered. – The girl is already quite big. – It’s obvious. She got pregnant when she was young and hid it from her parents. Now she’s probably taken her back, – the second old woman shook her head. – What can you expect? A butterfly is a butterfly. Flutters out in the morning and returns at night. – Yes, today’s youth is spoiled. All they have on their minds is fun, – the neighbour agreed. – Not like us in our time…
Several months passed.
Lily had been living at home for a long time. Every morning they had breakfast together, hurriedly got ready for their day, and in the evening shared news over a cup of tea. The apartment that once seemed empty and cold to Emma was now filled with children’s laughter, scattered pencils, books, and real life.
It wasn’t easy. Sometimes there wasn’t enough money, sometimes not enough strength. There were nights when Emma fell asleep over her laptop and got up in the morning to rush to work again. But she never once regretted her choice.
One warm spring day the sisters were returning home from the shop. The same old ladies were sitting by the entrance as usual.
When they saw the girls, one of them suddenly stood up and said hesitantly: – Emma… We talked a lot about you. Not always kindly. Forgive us. We had no idea what you were going through.
Emma just smiled. – It’s okay. You didn’t know.
The old woman lowered her eyes in embarrassment. – But now we do. You’re doing a great job. Not every adult is capable of taking on such responsibility.
Lily squeezed her sister’s hand tighter and looked proudly at the old women.
And Emma suddenly understood one simple truth: none of it mattered anymore. Other people’s gossip, judgments, and assumptions were left behind.
Because a real person is defined not by what others say, but by their actions.
Sometimes those whom people consider frivolous “butterflies” carry on their wings every day a burden that many others could not bear.
Emma looked up at the sky and smiled. – Do you see, Mum and Dad? We made it…
And it seemed to her that somewhere high above the clouds, they were smiling back.
And what do you think? How often do we misjudge people based only on appearances and rumours? And would you have the courage to take on such responsibility for the sake of a loved one?
