Body

Chapter 16

Colleen stared angrily at her mother, "What are you talking about? What about my dad back in New York huh? You know, Jack Wethers, supposedly my father......does he know?" She was panting for air now, and she felt herself grow weaker.

"Honey take it easy," Susan cried, she then threw Martin a painful glance.

"You tell them the story," Martin said.

"Well, I met Martin before I met Jack," she turned to Colleen, "It was New Years Eve and crazy in New York. We met up, and well, as you call it...........had a one night stand. When he found out I had gotten pregnant we decided to get married. Things just didn't work out though, we fought all the time and I didn't want my child growing up with that. I learned I was having fraternal twins and we both decided to take one. We were going to tell you as you got older, but then I met Jack and you were only two Colleen. You thought he was your daddy and it was too confusing for you. I just went along with it you know, especially when I heard that Martin told Scott that his real mother had run off and didn't want to see him anymore," she stopped, "I'm so sorry honey I love you so much and I know what a shock this is to you, on top of all this..."

"Your damn right it's a shock," Scott finally spoke up, "All this time I had a sister! How could you both betray us like that?" He left the room.

"I want to sleep now, please go away," Colleen said weakly. She hadn't even glanced at either of them, she refused to. She closed her eyes and sleep took over. She didn't know how long she slept when someone entered the room waking her.

"Do you believe them?" Scott's voice broke the silence.

"Yes I do," Colleen opened her eyes, "Why would they lie?"

Scott had a piece of paper in his hand with some writing on it, "On this I have my birthday written, tell me when yours is then I'll show you mine."

Colleen though a moment, then said, "January 23rd, 1985."

Scott swallowed hard, "I can't believe it, he showed her the paper which had the exact same date on it.

Colleen smiled, "You kept saying that you felt close to me for some reason, now you know why."

"But still..........our parents didn't even tell us," he paused, "OUR parents."

"I don't think my life could get any more screwed up," Colleen sighed and closed her eyes. The pain killers were getting the best of her, "Scott?"

"Yeah?"

"Why aren't I getting better? They won't tell me what's exactly wrong with me."

He squeezed her hand, "Don't worry Colleen, just sleep and be happy that it's all over." He felt a lump rise in his throat. The doctors had announced internal bleeding throughout her abdominal area, and there was nothing they could do to stop it, the risk was too great to operate. Here he was, squeezing his sister's hand, on her death bed. All he wanted to do was take her away and protect her from all the horrors taking place, but he couldn't. He'd never get the chance either. All he could do was hold her hand and reassure her, what a help he was. Peter and Susan walked in, and Susan was leaning on Peter's shoulder crying.

"Mom?" Colleen whispered without opening her eyes.

"I'm here," she rushed to her side.

"Mom, I forgive you...........I want you to know that," she sputtered, "Thank you, because I wanted Scott to be part of my life so much." Susan cried harder and stroked her forehead.

Scott stood and released Colleen's hand, "You would've been the coolest sister Colleen, don't forget me," he closed his eyes, and Colleen slipped into a deep sleep.

Colleen Wether's fell into a coma on April 24th and died in her sleep on April 26th, peacefully. Scott's grieving was tremendous but he felt a sense of peace too, like Colleen was there telling him it was better for her now. A lesson was taught to the whole group of Cliffhangers on how valuable life was, and how unpredictable. In a second your whole life can be turned around, and the only thing you can do is stay strong, remain on the Higher Ground..........and hope for the best.