Chapter 36

"Albert? Who's Albert? No one has told me anything except where to find you. Now, I know I'm right, so tell me the truth. What is going on?" demanded Krystal. "Don't leave anything out because I will know and you understand that to be the truth, right sis?"

"Well, that's his name. I'm fine Krys, I just need some tea," she said wiping her eyes and getting up to pour the hot water into mugs. "What kind would you like, Tom?"

"Anything is fine with me, Krista. Are you sure that you don't want to talk over this problem with your sister?" he asked gently.

"I want to know what's going on or I'll go to Albert and find out what's going on," demanded Krystal. "Tom, who's Albert?"

"You're new boss, darling, AJ Chegwidden."

Krista kept her head down making tea for everyone. She looked up to hand Tom a mug and then set the honey on the counter and said, "I don't have sugar, but honey is better for you anyway." She added a spoonful to hers and then sat on her stool drinking it.

"Krista, tell me the truth now, or I'm leaving here and going to Alb...AJ and find out for myself," Krystal announced. "I love you Kris and if something is wrong I need to know. Please, tell me and don't make me run to a virtual stranger."

"Krystal, we are strangers! We haven't seen each other in years!"

"Kris, we're sisters, twins, the other half of a whole. Don't do this to me if you love me!" cried Krystal. "If you're sick tell me, let me help, let me be there for you."

"I'm not sick..." she hesitated and then in a whisper almost so low that Krys couldn't hear her she said, "I'm dying."

Krystal knees gave out from under her and Tom had to catch her, "Dying! No, you can't be Kris. I won't have it! Not my baby sister. What do the doctors say, is there no hope? No hope at all."

"Please, Krys, I don't want to talk about it now. We have just found each other again, can't we be happy in that?"

"Tell me Kris, I need to know if there's a way to save you," Krystal cried. "I need to find an answer if possible."

"No! Why will no one listen to me! I don't want to talk about it! Now if you can't accept that then you can go!" Krista looked lost, but her determination was firm.

"Kris, if the situation were reversed would you try your best to help me?" Krystal asked with tears streaming down her cheeks.

Krista looked up with tears in her eyes, but wouldn't speak.

Tom wrapped his arms around Krystal and said, "Maybe we should go for now, darling. The two of you can talk over things later."

"I love you, Kris and I'm not giving up. I won't lose you again without a fight, and I know how to fight just ask Tom. Flying Tomcats in the Gulf War was nothing compared to bombing whatever is wrong with you. Goodbye for now Kris, but I'll be back."

Leading her of the store, Tom already had his cell phone in his hand. "AJ?"

"Tom, did it do any good for Krystal to talk to her?"

"Krista wouldn't tell Krystal what was going on, so we're on our way over."

Grabbing the phone from Tom, Krystal sobbed, "What's wrong with my sister and why won't she tell me, ALBERT?"

"Krystal, it might be better if you wait till you get here for that. I will tell you, since she wouldn't, but I think it would be better if you weren't on the road at the time."

"You've known all along and kept it from me. You wouldn't tell me where she lived and now she's dying and no one will tell me from what. I want it all when I get there! Boss or no boss!" Krystal sobbed handing the phone back to Tom and climbing in his vehicle.

Tom drove as quickly as he could out to AJ's place and still keep them safely on the road, his hand was on Krystal's leg the entire time trying to give her what comfort he could. Thirty minutes later, in what was usually a forty-five minute trip, they pulled up in front of AJ's ranch style house.

To be continued…