Sisters

Part 1



I wrote this short story a couple of years ago but never posted it because of the subject matter. But a few days ago I re-read the story and decided to go ahead and post it. In reading this story, I ask that you stick with it, because the story line is not what it seems.

Feedback is always welcome at: Herbard@yahoo.com

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Lauren brought her rental car to a screeching halt in the parking lot of Mercy General Hospital. She put the car in park and jumped out running into the hospital, hoping she wasn't too late.

The call had come earlier in the day, 8:30 in the morning to be precise. Lauren Dowling had already been at work since 5am, catching up on e-mails and business reports.

The Executive was shocked when she picked up the ringing phone and heard her younger sister's voice on the other end.

'Lauren, it's Chris,' came the somber voice.

Lauren felt her stomach do a flip as she recognized her sister's voice. 'It's been a while.'

'Ten years to be exact. But who's counting!'

'Yeah,' replied Lauren, 'who's counting?'

'Listen Lauren, I thought you'd like to know, mother had a heart attack last night. She's in ICU at Mercy.'

Lauren momentarily felt dizzy. Not her beloved mother. The last time they had spoken she was doing well. She hadn't let on that she wasn't feeling well. 'What does the doctor say?'

'He said the next 24 hours are critical. I'll call you if there's any change.' Chris hung up before Lauren had a chance to ask her sister how things were going in her life.

The door to the elevator opened. Lauren stood impatiently as she waited for an elderly couple to get off. She finally got on and pushed the button for floor two. It seemed like hours to go the short distance but when the door opened she wasn't prepared for what stood in front of her. Familiar green eyes met familiar blue eyes. 'Chris!' Lauren gasped. 'You're beautiful,' Lauren blurted out, immediately sorry for saying anything that would make her sister uncomfortable. 'What I mean, is you're all grown up. The last time I saw you, you were 17.'

'I should hope so, I'm 27 now. If you'll excuse me, I was on my way to get a cup of coffee,' came the icy reply. Chris brushed past Lauren as she got onto the waiting elevator. A chill went down her spine as their arms brushed one another.

'I'll go with you.' The door closed bringing the two in silence to the 5th floor. Once again the door opened and let the two off. They each got a coffee, Chris refusing to let Lauren pay. She did agree to sit with her older sister long enough to drink her coffee.

'How is mother?'

'She's tough, she's giving it a good fight. The doctor says it's up to her.'

'I don't understand, I spoke with her the night before last and she said she was fine. As a matter of fact she was talking about a trip the two of you were getting ready to take. What could have caused it?'

'One word, daddy.' Chris shuddered at the word daddy. She and her father had never gotten along. Her only thoughts of him were of a cold and uncaring parent. Nothing at all like her mother, warm and loving. She never understood how someone as wonderful and funny as her mother could have married someone like Everett Dowling.

'What are you talking about?' Lauren was the spitting image of her father, tall, black hair and blue eyes. He couldn't deny she was his if he wanted to.

'Marie overheard them arguing late last night. He stormed off on a business trip leaving mother alone, about an hour later she called Marie for help.

'What did they argue about?'

'I don't know.'

'Did you ask Marie?'

Marie had worked for their mother ever since the two girls could remember. She was a much loved member of the family. Their father had always put his foot down saying that Marie was hired help and should be treated as such. If it hadn't of been for Eleanor Downing, Marie would have been long gone.

'Marie is too upset to talk.'

The two women finished their coffee in silence, and then went back to the second floor. They were met by a smiling Marie. She was thrilled to see Lauren and gave the tall woman a hug.

'Lauren, you get more beautiful. How is that possible?'

'I take care of myself, eat right, exercise.' Marie looked at Lauren, they both burst out laughing and said in unison, 'NOT!' Lauren was a junk food junkie and had never eaten right or exercised. Her beautiful body was a gift.

'Good news, the doctor was just out, Ellie's awake. She's asking for you Chris. The doctor said you can both go in.'

Chris led the way to Ellie's room. Both women were shocked at how pale and thin their mother looked. Her eyes lit up when she saw her eldest daughter.

'Mom,' Lauren croaked. She went to the ailing woman, bent down and softly kissed her cheek.

'So it takes a heart attack to get my eldest daughter to come home for a visit. I've missed you.'

'I've missed you too mom.' Lauren had wanted to come home and would have if it hadn't of been for Chris. Ten years ago Lauren had confided a hidden secret to her younger sister, and it had torn them apart. Lauren had to live with that mistake every day for the past ten years.

Ellie looked at her youngest daughter. Lauren thought she saw a hint of sadness as she looked at Chris. Chris gave her mother a hug.

'How are you feeling?' asked Chris.

'Tired, very tired. I feel like a wet rag. The doctor says it was a mild heart attack and I'll be good as new in no time.'

Lauren put her arm around Chris' shoulder. 'And we'll both be here to make sure.'

Chris felt the weight of Lauren's arm on her shoulder. Part of her wanted to push it off but another part of her, the bad part wanted the physical contact. Chris missed Lauren. The last ten years had been lonely. Chris and Lauren had been close growing up. They went everywhere together, and when Lauren left, Chris was depressed and lonely, missing her sister.

'Does this mean you're staying?' asked Ellie.

'For a little while Mom.'

The older woman's eyes were heavy, and in seconds she was asleep. Chris ushered Lauren out into the hallway. 'What do you mean you're staying?'

'I'm staying until mom is back on her feet again.'

'Lauren I don't think that's such a good idea.'

'You don't have to worry Chris I won't hurt you. I never wanted to hurt you.'

'But you did!'

Marie came along. She could feel the tension between the two sisters. 'Lauren, we need a ride home. Chris and I went in the ambulance. Besides, there's nothing more we can do tonight. Your mother needs her rest.' Marie entered the room, walked over to Ellie and put her hand on the woman's cheek. Upon instinct she took Marie's hand and kissed it. The gesture was not lost on Lauren.

'Well I'll be damned!'

'What?' asked Chris.

'Nothing.'

Marie came back out of the room and stood between Chris and Lauren. She knew that Lauren's trip back home would be the only chance for the two to reunite, and she was going to do everything in her power to get them back together, for Ellie's sake.

The drive back to the estate was a long one. No one spoke. Marie tried to make conversation but finally gave up when all she received back were one word answers. Lauren pulled up in front of the large spacious house. It hadn't changed in 10 years. Her mother's beloved plants were in various states of flowering, the yard was perfectly manicured. She looked down at the duck pond and smiled as she watched the ducks swimming around. She and Chris had spent many an hour down by the duck pond playing with its inhabitants. They had gone so far as to name the ducks. Chris had continued the tradition giving names to the newly born ducks each season.

The front door opened and out ran Marie's daughter Melinda. She was the same age as Chris but the fates had dealt her a raw deal. She had been born autistic. When Marie and Melinda had moved into the estate some twenty years ago Lauren and Chris had been nervous being around the child. They didn't want their friends to see them with the retard as they had called her.

But soon they fell in love with the child. She proved to be funny and loving. Always ready for a hug after a bad day. Pretty soon they became close, as close as sisters. People were always mistaking Lauren and Melinda for sisters. They looked more alike than Lauren and Chris.

'LAUREN!' Melinda yelled. She had grown as tall as Lauren. In a flash she picked Lauren up off the ground.

'Hey squirt!' Lauren laughed. 'I guess I can't call you that anymore.'

'I'm grown up,' laughed Melinda.

'You sure are.'

'I missed you, Lauren. How come you don't come and see me anymore? Have I been bad?'

Lauren felt her heart break. 'No honey, you're a good girl. I'm sorry I didn't come and visit you. But I'm here now.'

'So we can play together?'

'Absolutely.' Lauren and Melinda linked arms and entered the house. Chris watched the two. Lauren had always been so good with Melinda, especially when she had a temper tantrum. Lauren had spent many hours working with Melinda helping her curb her temper. She had been successful and Melinda very rarely had an outburst.

Dinner was a strained affair. Neither Chris or Lauren spoke during the meal, instead letting Melinda do all the talking. She filled Lauren in on the past ten years and how she even held a job every day. Lauren was proud of the young woman.

After dinner, Lauren wanted to walk the estate. The large 50 acre spread had changed little in the past ten years. The gardens were still well manicured and the lawn a thick rich deep green, was well cut.

Lauren came to the duck pond and stopped short when she saw Chris sitting by the edge with her customary bag of cracked corn. She had been in that same exacted position ten years ago when Lauren had left for good.

The younger woman looked up and locked eyes with Lauren. 'Sorry Chris I didn't mean to disturb you. I just wanted to walk around, it's been so long.'

'It's okay.'

Lauren started to walk away, but Chris stopped her. 'You don't have to leave.'

'Are you sure?'

'Look Lauren, I don't hate you. I just.... oh I don't know.'

Lauren came closer to Chris and sat down next to her. The blonde offered her some corn to feed the ducks. Lauren took a handful and threw the corn into the water watching the ducks dive for their treat.

'I never grow tired of feeding the ducks,' Chris remarked. Lauren laughed. 'What's so funny?' asked the blonde.

'I was just thinking, when you were little and upset about something you would come down here and feed the ducks. Mom always knew where to find you. She'd have to physically pick you up to get you to come home.'

'Guess some things haven't changed.'

'Are you happy? Has life been good to you?' Chris just stared into Lauren's eyes and said nothing. 'Please, Chris I need to know,' Lauren asked pleadingly.

Never one to lie to Lauren, up until now, Chris took a deep breath and began to speak while chewing on her lip. 'Lauren,' she started, 'my life is wonderful. I have a lot of great friends, and I'm seeing a very nice guy who wants to marry me.'

Lauren didn't want to know but had to ask. 'Do you love him?'

'Very much. We have so much in common.'

Lauren felt her jaw tighten at the thought of Chris marrying some low life guy who just wanted her money. She would talk to Marie later and find out more about this young man. 'He doesn't love you, he wants your money.'

Chris jumped up off the ground and stood over her sister, anger boiling from within. She yelled, 'you're home what, two hours, and you're starting right in! I was hoping things would be different this time, that maybe you had changed, but I can see that I'm wrong. You're still as possessive as always. Well guess what Lauren? I'm not the same person you left 10 years ago. I'm stronger, and more self assured. And one more thing, you're wrong Guy does love me, very much.'

'If he loves you so much, where is he? Why isn't he here supporting you while mom is sick?'

Chris stormed off leaving Lauren alone with the ducks. From that point on the two stayed away from one another, only seeing each other at dinner time. Luckily Melinda kept the conversation going and all they had to do was listen to her. None of this was lost on Marie. She was at a loss on what to do. Five days had passed and they weren't speaking. Marie decided to speak to them separately after dinner.

True to form Chris was down at the duck pond feeding her ducks while Lauren stayed on the patio. From there she had a clear vantage point to the duck pond and was able to watch Chris' every move. The sliding glass door opened and closed. Lauren could hear footsteps approaching and knew it was Marie. 'Hi Marie.'

The older woman was no longer surprised with Lauren's keen senses. From the time she could remember Lauren had always been able to distinguish people's footsteps. 'Lauren, we need to talk.' The older woman took a lounge chair and sat down. 'I've known you a long time.'

'Almost my entire life.'

'And I love you like you were my own, so I feel I can speak freely.'

'Marie you know I feel the same of you. You and Melinda are family.'

'I don't know what happened between you and Chris all those years ago but I know that whatever it is still hasn't been resolved. Your mother is coming home tomorrow and I don't want her getting upset over a fight between you and your sister. I'll do what I have to do to protect Ellie, understand?' Lauren smiled at Marie and nodded.

'Marie, tell me about Guy?'

'He's a pompous ass. Works for your father. Actually you'd think the two are related.'

'Chris says she's in love with him.'

Marie laughed, 'Chris in love with Guy? No dear, Chris can't stand him, she must have been joking with you.'

Lauren smiled to herself, 'Must have been. Thanks Marie.'

Twenty minutes later Marie was having the same conversation with Chris down by the duck pond while Lauren watched the two. Lauren could hear the two but watched as Chris smiled and laughed at something Marie said. She missed that smile and laugh. As teens Lauren was always trying to make her younger sister laugh just so she could watch her reaction. Those days were gone, probably forever.

Lauren sat out on the patio for hours watching the sky slowly turn to night. It was around ten when she heard a car roll up the driveway. It came to a stop letting a passenger off. She couldn't see who it was but guessed that it was her father back from his business trip.

Everett Dowling was a bastard when it came to business and pretty much all matters. He was a hard man who ran his company with an iron fist. Lauren had always dreamed of working for her father but when she left home she was forced to get a job with one of his rival companies. Lauren liked her job and had worked up the ranks to Vice-President but her real dream was to work at E.D. Company. Ed as everyone affectionately called it.

The sliding door from the office to the patio slid opened. Lauren knew her father was approaching. 'I heard you were here,' he said icily. 'How long do you plan on staying here? Long enough to steal company secrets?'

'Mother's fine, thanks for asking.' Lauren started back into the house and stopped in front of her father and leaned into his ear and whispered. 'I don't need to steal secrets from your company, I already know everything there is to know.' With that she walked back into the house and shut the sliding door. A chill ran up and down her spine. Her father really was a bastard. He only cared for himself and no one else.

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Lauren drove up the long driveway with her mother. Ellie received a clean bill of health from the doctor but had strict orders to rest and stay calm. Lauren vowed to keep her mother safe and happy. She brought the car to a halt. Chris, Marie and a very excited Melinda were waiting outside. Everett was no where to be seen. Luckily for him, Ellie might have tried to kill him.

Marie opened the passenger door and threw herself into Ellie's arms. The two held onto one another tightly. Lauren watched with interest the look that passed between the two.

'Auntie Ellie, you're home!' Melinda said excitedly.

The older woman went to Melinda and gave her a hug and a kiss. Chris had pulled back and only went to her mother when the older woman held out her arms to her youngest daughter. She could see the strain in both Lauren and Chris' faces. She needed to do something about this horrible mess but didn't know that she could. It would mean destroying all of the people she loved most in the world. But the stress of what Everett had told her already caused a mild heart attack, the next time she might not be so lucky.

Lauren glanced at her mother and saw the look of concern and sadness in her face. She could tell by the older woman's sagging shoulders that something was bothering her, and it didn't have anything to do with her heart attack. Lauren decided to talk to her mother when things calmed down.

Dinner was a festive affair. Even Lauren and Chris were talking to one another and seemed at ease doing so. Ellie was pleased to see all of her girls at the table together for the first time in a long time.

'Marie, you've outdone yourself.'

Marie beamed from ear to ear at Ellie's compliment. 'Thank you Ellie, I know how much you love lasagna and we don't have it often.'

'Mom,' Lauren said after dinner, 'the doctor said you need rest. You've been up since you got home.'

'You're right, I do feel the need to lie down.' Marie helped Ellie upstairs while Melinda and Lauren insisted on doing the dishes.

'Lauren?' Melinda asked.

'What sweetie?' Lauren passed her a plate to dry. Melinda diligently went to work drying the plate and then spoke.

'I want to live on my own like you do, but mama won't let me. She thinks I'm too stupid to live on my own.'

Lauren put down her dish rag and dried her hands. 'No honey, your mom doesn't think you're stupid. She's just worried about you being on your own. She's just being a mother. All mother's worry about their children.'

'Auntie Ellie..' the girl started.

'Still calls me twice a week to make sure I'm okay. Trust me it doesn't have anything to do with your mom thinking your stupid. Why do you want to live on your own?'

'When Mr. Dowling goes on business trips mama spends the night with Aunt Ellie and I get to stay down at the cottage by myself. I like eating when I want to, and going to bed when I want.'

'Have you asked your mom?'

'Yes but she doesn't want me to.'

'Tell you what kid, how about if I try and talk to her?'

Melinda beamed. 'You will?'

'Yes I will. But you have to give me a few days and not keep asking me about it, or talking about it to the others. You have to let me do this my way, understand?'

'Our secret.'

The two returned to washing the dishes and finished up an hour later. Marie returned to the kitchen and sent Melinda home to bed.

'Is mom all settled down?'

'She went right to sleep the minute her head hit the pillow.' Marie started to put the remaining cooking dishes away while Lauren tidied up the counters.

'Marie, Melinda and I had an interesting conversation tonight. She told me she wants to live on her own, but you don't want her to. Melinda is under the impression that you think she's stupid. Is that true?'

'Good lord Lauren of course not. She's so naive, I don't think she's ready to live on her own. I spoke to her counselor and she agrees that right now Melinda needs to learn to be more independent before going out by herself.'

'Is there anything I can do to help?'

Marie gave Lauren a hug. 'You've always been there for Melinda, thank you.' The older woman walked off not wanting Lauren to see her tears.

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Lauren awoke to the sound of loud voices. She looked at the clock on her beside table. It read 3:15 a.m. At first she thought Chris had fallen asleep with the television on, but as she came to, she realized it was her parents. Slowly she got out of bed, and put on her robe. She knew where every crack was on the floor. Many a night she had come home too late and crept in, careful to avoid the cracks in the wooden floor.

Quietly Lauren opened the door and the voices grew louder. Chris hadn't left the television on, it was her mother and father having words.

'I told you Everett, I want you out of this house, never to return. And don't even try showing up for work. You're through.'

'I run that company. You need me. I've kept you in this lavish lifestyle.'

'Wrong Everett, my grandfather started that company and I let you ruin it while I raised the girls. It's time Lauren came home and ran the company with Chris.'

'They'll run it into the ground those perverts.'

Ellie began to get agitated, and Lauren could hear it in her voice. She decided to go to her mother's room and see what was really going on.

'Ellie this is my home too, you can't make me leave.'

'Everett this was my grandfather's home. You don't own a thing here. You came with nothing and you're leaving with nothing.'

'I leave when I want to leave.'

The door swung open and in walked Lauren. She could see the paleness in her mother's skin. 'I believe she asked nicely for you to leave. Father or not, you already caused one heart attack, you're not going to cause another.' Lauren grabbed hold of Everett's arm and whisked him out of the house and away from her shaking mother. Once she saw he was out of sight and away from the estate she quickly changed the code at the front gate and then walked back to the house and to her mother.

By the time she returned the woman was downstairs in the sitting room, with a strong hot cup of tea. Lauren sat down beside her mother. 'Mom, what's going on?'

The older woman started to shake and nod her head no. 'I can't, it's awful. What he did, to all of us. I only stayed with him because of you girls and the company. As it turns out he was never a good father and he never ran the company as well as daddy and grandpa.

'Mom, you'll feel better if you talk about it.'

Ellie put her mug of tea down and took a deep breath. She took Lauren's hand for support. 'Your father did something years ago that I don't know if it can ever be undone. When I was pregnant with Chris I had a hard pregnancy. It seemed as though I was sick the entire 9 months. The doctor had warned me that there could be complications but Chris was born healthy and I never looked back. According to your father I gave birth to a child, a child that was less than perfect. You know how your father has always been about appearances, even though he never gave a rats tail for you or Chris, we always had to appear in public like the perfect happy family.'

Ellie got up from the couch and began to pace. Lauren watched her mother, her heart breaking from the strain she could see. 'Mom, you just got out of the hospital, the doctor wants you quiet, maybe this isn't the time.'

'No, I've started, I'm going to finish. I gave birth to a child who was retarded and your father paid the doctor off to switch Chris and my child.' The tears now fell freely from Ellie, as Lauren got up off the couch and took her mother into her arms.

'You mean Chris and I aren't related?'

'No honey, I'm sorry, no you're not.' Lauren felt as if a giant weight had been lifted from her shoulders. 'I know how devastated you must be at this news. I was shocked too. I have a daughter out there somewhere who has grown up without her mother.'

'Oh mom, I'm so sorry, I don't know what to say except we will find her. I promise you, we'll find your daughter, and my sister.'

Ellie looked up at her daughter. Lauren, I've always been so deeply proud of you. Nothing would make me happier then having you run the company. Your grandfather would be so proud of you.'

'What about Chris?'

'Honey her field is numbers. She has proven to be an excellent Chief Financial Officer and I wouldn't want anyone else in that position. Lauren, I still love her, she's still my daughter. And I know you love her too.'

Lauren started to pull away from her mother but the older woman was still strong and held on. 'Lauren, you don't think I know how you feel about Chris? I know why you left ten years ago. You thought you fell in love with your sister and you were ashamed.'

'But how did you know Chris felt the same way?'

'She came to me one night after you had left, almost hysterical because she missed you so much. I felt like I had failed you both. And Chris, like you was ashamed of her feelings. If only your father had said something all those years ago, you and Chris might have been spared all this misery. I am so sorry.' Ellie slumped down onto the couch.

'Mom, this is a new start for both of us.'

'What do you mean?'

'Do you think I'm blind? I can see how you and Marie look at one another. How long have you two been in love?'

Ellie blushed, feeling like a school girl. "Marie and I met through a mutual friend, and it was love at first sight. But we were both married. Each of us having married so we could have children. Marie and I couldn't stand the thought of being separated so we came up with the idea of having Marie and Melinda move in as the hired help. Around your father she was the help but when we were alone, oh Lauren, I can't even tell you. I'm sorry I deceived you.'

'No mom, please don't be sorry. Don't you see? You and Marie can finally be together just as Chris and I can be together.'

For the first time in years Ellie felt happy, truly happy. 'Lauren, go to her, tell her how you feel.' The older woman got up off the couch and headed out the front door.

'Mom, where are you going?'

Ellie smiled and winked at Lauren, then walked out the door to the cottage.

Suddenly Lauren felt nervous. Her dream was about to come true and she wasn't sure how to approach it. She did know that she didn't want to wait any longer so she headed up the large staircase taking two at a time. She stood outside Chris' bedroom for a few minutes trying to get up the courage to enter. Finally she put her hand on the door knob and turned it. Once inside the room she looked at the sleeping form on the bed. All she could see was a mop of blonde hair sticking out from under a pile of blankets.

Lauren went over to the edge of the bed and sat down, never taking her eyes off the sleeping form. 'Hey sleepy head wake up.' Lauren had forgotten how hard it was to wake her sis-, to wake Chris. She gently shook the girl until she was semi conscious.

'What, what's wrong?' asked the sleepy voice. Suddenly she was awake and out of bed. 'Is mom okay?'

'Relax, she's fine. As a matter of fact she's down at the cottage with Marie, but that's another story. Chris we need to talk.'

Chris glanced at the clock noting the time. 'Lauren it's 4:30 in the morning. What is so important that it can't wait until morning.'

'It is morning.'

'Until a decent time.'

'Honey, I have something important to tell you. Something I think will change how you feel about yourself.'

'There isn't anything you could possibly say to make me happy about myself.'

'What if I said to you we aren't related? What if I said there was a mix up when you were born and you and I aren't sisters?'

'You're lying,' the blonde spat. 'You'd say anything to get me into your bed. You've been after me since we were young.'

'No sweetheart you've got it all wrong.' Lauren started to walk closer to Chris but stopped when she saw the fear in her green eyes.

'Get out!' Chris yelled. 'Get away from me!'

Lauren backed out of the room, trembling. She stood outside of Chris' room unsure of what to do, while Chris slumped to the floor curled up in a ball. Both women let the tears flow freely. With a heavy heart Lauren decided to leave never to return. As much as she would miss her mother the last thing she wanted to do was upset Chris.

Lauren could hear Chris softly crying as she packed her bag. She wanted to go to Chris and comfort her but knew that she was the cause of her upset. Lauren heard a small tap at her door and was shocked when she opened it. Standing at the door was a bleary eyed blonde with a red nose. She looked past Lauren and saw the packed bag.

'Hi,' Lauren said softly.

'You weren't lying were you?'

'No honey, I wasn't.' Lauren led Chris over to the edge of the bed and sat her down. 'What I'm going to tell you seems unbelievable, but it makes sense. The reason mom had that heart attack was dad decided in a moment of anger to tell her about something he had done when you were born. It seems that mom gave birth to a child that was retarded, and dad not being able to handle it switched her with another child. That child was you.'

'Oh my God, poor mom! So that means she's really not my mother.' Part of Chris was thrilled that she wasn't related to these people but part of her was upset that her mother wasn't really her mother.

Lauren put her hands on Chris' shoulders. 'Chris, mom still loves you as though you were her child.'

'Yes dear I do.'

Both girls turned to the voice and saw Ellie standing at the door.

'Oh mom,' Chris cried, running into her arms.

The older woman took the blonde into her arms and held her for long minutes while she sobbed. Lauren quietly left, leaving the two to talk privately. She went downstairs and put the coffee on. By now the sky was turning to light, and in an hour the sun would be out bright.

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Chapter 2