Part 7: Needing Recognition and Needing Support
"Lily, I must explain a few things before you go see Jessica." Dr. Berneard explained.
Lily nodded expecting to hear all about the terrible condition of her sister that was constantly deteriorating.
"Jessica is in stable condition, but not well. You will see some tubes and things attached to her. Second Lily, and this is not easy for me to say...Mr. James died in a car accident two years ago, and Mrs. James hasn't been seen since a few years after your birth." Dr. Berneard explained.
Lily lost her train of thought. "Dead? Missing?" She asked, although not intending to, aloud.
"Yes, so it is a good thing that you and Jessica found good homes. Although it is recommended that separated twins are given knowledge about the other, if possible contact when older." Dr. Berneard explained.
Lily had to sit down on the bed she was standing next too. She didn't realize it, but she was having trouble breathing. And the next she felt was an oxygen mask around her face.
"Are you ok?" Dr. Berneard asked worriedly.
"Just a little surprised." Lily commented, although it was an understatement.
"Lily, are you ready to meet Jessica Ander?" Dr. Berneard asked removing the mask from Lily.
"Ready as I'll ever be." Lily thought unintentionally aloud.
"I have to get better about keeping things to myself." She thought.
The walk down the hall seemed to take years, and it was the creepiest thing she had ever done. Dodging only one rushing crash cart on the way, the journey seemed suddenly too short. She looked back at the million miles she seemed to have walked in only a few seconds in order to do one thing; this one unavoidable thing. She didn't have to meet Jessica, but she would probably hate herself if she didn't. She could feel the few forced gulps of sir coming into her lungs.
"Lily Randall, meet Jessica Ander." Dr. Berneard ushered her into the room.
Her steps were so forced; she hadn't even looked at the face of her twin. Her vision was blurred, and her jagged steps were wobbly. She felt like a baby taking their first steps, but she was in ninth grade...wasn't she? Slowly her eyes focused on one specific point of light, and in to view came the shining face of a smiling person.
"Lily?" The person asked.
"Yes Jessica, I am here." Lily forced herself to say.
"Lily, I must explain a few things before you go see Jessica." Dr. Berneard explained.
Lily nodded expecting to hear all about the terrible condition of her sister that was constantly deteriorating.
"Jessica is in stable condition, but not well. You will see some tubes and things attached to her. Second Lily, and this is not easy for me to say...Mr. James died in a car accident two years ago, and Mrs. James hasn't been seen since a few years after your birth." Dr. Berneard explained.
Lily lost her train of thought. "Dead? Missing?" She asked, although not intending to, aloud.
"Yes, so it is a good thing that you and Jessica found good homes. Although it is recommended that separated twins are given knowledge about the other, if possible contact when older." Dr. Berneard explained.
Lily had to sit down on the bed she was standing next too. She didn't realize it, but she was having trouble breathing. And the next she felt was an oxygen mask around her face.
"Are you ok?" Dr. Berneard asked worriedly.
"Just a little surprised." Lily commented, although it was an understatement.
"Lily, are you ready to meet Jessica Ander?" Dr. Berneard asked removing the mask from Lily.
"Ready as I'll ever be." Lily thought unintentionally aloud.
"I have to get better about keeping things to myself." She thought.
The walk down the hall seemed to take years, and it was the creepiest thing she had ever done. Dodging only one rushing crash cart on the way, the journey seemed suddenly too short. She looked back at the million miles she seemed to have walked in only a few seconds in order to do one thing; this one unavoidable thing. She didn't have to meet Jessica, but she would probably hate herself if she didn't. She could feel the few forced gulps of sir coming into her lungs.
"Lily Randall, meet Jessica Ander." Dr. Berneard ushered her into the room.
Her steps were so forced; she hadn't even looked at the face of her twin. Her vision was blurred, and her jagged steps were wobbly. She felt like a baby taking their first steps, but she was in ninth grade...wasn't she? Slowly her eyes focused on one specific point of light, and in to view came the shining face of a smiling person.
"Lily?" The person asked.
"Yes Jessica, I am here." Lily forced herself to say.