A New Family

A few days have passed by since I woke up from the coma. Lucy stayed true to her word, and they looked after me until I was able to walk again, but I wasn't stable yet. My body still lacked nutrition and liquid. I might be staying in the hospital for at least two more days before I'm stable. 

Brina also came to visit me every day after she went to her sister for a visit. We've gotten to know each other quite well. Her parents died in a car accident 2 years ago. She is the second eldest of the three of them. The eldest is her brother Kane who is 24. Brina is also 22, and her sister, Mallory, who's also in the hospital, is 19. Today Brina said that she'll take me to meet Mallory. I'm quite excited. From all the stories she's told me about their family and the three of them, they seem like very nice people.

As I thinking about it, Brina appears around the door with her usual warm smile.

"Are you ready to meet Mallory?"

"Can't wait."

I give her a big smile and we walk out of my hospital room. We turn a few corners before we came to a private ward. Mallory's name is standing in cursive letters on the door. I look towards Brina with a curious face. 

"Umm, you know, Mallory has been here for a year and on her birthday last year, we thought that it would make her feel a little more at home if we customise her room a little bit. So we asked the hospital to give her a room exclusive to her. So, this room is like her second home for the time being."

"Ah, I see. Quite nice of you if I do say so myself."

I give Brina a bright smile and she returns it. We enter Mallory's room and I can see what she meant by giving her a second home. Her room looks like a normal bedroom. Just a little more hospital things here and there, but other than that, nothing less than a normal room. She has grey and white curtains covering her windows, a queen-sized bed standing in the middle of the room near the wall with grey covers and white pillows, a fluffy grey carpet at the front of her bed and a closet opposite her bed with a long mirror next to it. I stare in awe as I look around the room.

"I can see what you mean, Brina. I love it."

Brina gives me a warm smile and as I look towards the bed, I can see a silhouette lying there, arms folded on top of her. Brina goes and she opens the curtains to let a little bit of light into the darkroom. As she does this, I hear Mallory groan.

"Brina, why do you have the knack to disturb me when I'm peacefully sleeping?"

"Oh, come on, Mallory. It's already 3 in the afternoon and you're still sleeping. Get up."

"No."

"Mallory, I don't want to argue with you while here's a guest to meet you."

"What are you talking about?"

"Just open your eyes and you'll know."

"Uggg."

Mallory complains and mutters a few things before she brings herself upright and wipes her eyes. Opening them, I could tell she was still a little confused, but as soon as she looked at me, she was wide awake.

"Brina, is this the girl you were talking about?"

"Um-hm."

Mallory takes a few long looks towards me with a face showing total shock.

"WOW. You're even prettier than Brina described you as. Are you a model, an actress maybe?"

I laugh at her antics to describe me.

"No, but thank you."

"My pleasure."

She gives me a warm smile before she looks at Brina.

"Can we keep her?"

"Mallory! She's not a pet," Brina laughs.

"I know, but can we? Just think how good our image will be if we take her into our care. I mean, just look at her. She's gorgeous. People would swoon to just have a glimpse of her and she will have trouble getting a place to stay in this horrid place so why not take her into our care? Please, Brina. Please?"

I don't have to see Mallory's face to know she is pouting and giving Brina a puppy face. Brina looks at me.

"What do you think, Kathy?"

"Excuse me?"

"Do you want to be part of the Bythesea family?"

"You mean live with you guys?"

"Not only that but...do you want to have a family again? I heard when you told Lucy that you're family doesn't want you back, so...what do you say?"

I look at Brina, total shock visible in my face. It hurts to hear things about my parents. They weren't like that at all, but for my safety, my mother told me to lie about them and who I truly was. I was to never say my true surname. Not even to the ones I trust the most in the world, because a 'secret isn't a secret anymore if someone else except you know about it'. Mom's last words to me along with her message that I burned in the fire. For the sake of not being alone at this time, I'll play my part well until the day comes when I don't need to act and lie anymore. 

I cover my mouth with both my hands. My vision slowly turning dull. I rush towards Brina and hug her tightly. She was stiff for a few seconds but eventually returned the hug.

"Yes, yes, yes. Thank you. I'd love to."

"I'm glad to hear that."

Brina was the first to back out of the embrace, keeping her hands still on my shoulders. She looks towards Mallory with a smile.

"Are you happy now?"

"Yes. Very. I have a new sister. Yay!"

Mallory stands up to hug me. I instantly return the hug.

"Welcome to your new family, Kathy."

"Thank you, Mallory."

"No, thank you, Kathy. Now I don't have to nag Miss Bossy over there to help me with my things and do stuff with me."

"Mallory, I'm not that mean!"

Brina blushes a shade of bright pink. Mallory and I stare at each other and start laughing. Having to get to know Brina over the past few days, I know that she can be very bossy. I wipe away my tears from laughing a little too hard. As I wipe my tears away, a knock on the door could be heard. Brina looks towards the door.

"Come in."

The doorknob slowly turns and as the door opens, there stands a smiling Lucy with a tray full of food for Mallory.

"Hi, Lucy."

"Hi girls. I see you brought Kathy for a visit, Brina?"

"Yes. I mean, I've been only telling her stories about me and Mallory these past few days, so I brought it upon me to bring her for a visit today. Just to get her out of her room and moving for a little."

"That's so generous and kind of you, Brina. You've always had a heart of gold."

Lucy smiles at Brina before looking at me.

"How are you feeling today dear?"

"I'm great. Thank you, Lucy. I feel ready to be discharged."

"That's good. I'm still looking for an apartment for you..."

"Thank you, Lucy, but I think I've got it covered."

"Oh?"

Lucy looks a little puzzled and looks at Brina.

"I was going to come to you today for an adoption paper."

"Brina, are you meaning to tell me that..."

"Yes, Lucy. We've taken Kathy into our care, but not only that. We'd like to have her as a family member as well."

"Brina, you never cease to amaze me. I'll get those papers ready in a jiffy."

"Thank you, Lucy."

Lucy gives me and Brina a big smile before placing Mallory's food on the table. She then helps Mallory back to bed and makes her comfortable.

"How are you feeling today, Mallory? How do you feel about your new sister?"

"I'm great. Thanks. I was the one who gave Brina the idea."

"Oh, I see. Well, as today seems like a day of good news for all of you, do you want to hear some more good news, Mallory?"

"Oh, yes, please. What is it?"

Lucy gives a slight giggle.

"Well, I was going through your test results of last week, and..."

"And, what?"

"You can be discharged tomorrow."

Mallory's face shows visible shock.

"You mean to tell me, that I'm cured?"

"Well, not really, but your condition is that of a normal person now. You can go home now and enjoy yourself outside of the hospital."

"That's fantastic! Thank you, Lucy."

"My pleasure. Now, we're going to do a few last check-ups on you today so sorry, Brina, Kathy, but I'll have to ask you guys to leave. Kathy, you can go to your room because Olivia will be bringing your food very soon. Brina, you can come with me to finalise those papers and Mallory, you just eat your food and drink your tea for the time being. I'll be back after a while."

"Yes, Lucy," we all say in unison.

"Now then, get to your stations then."

We all giggle at Lucy's comments as to get us to go to where we need to be. Mallory waves me goodbye as I leave the room. As I turn to go to my room in the opposite direction as to where Brina and Lucy turn to, I heard then whispering.

"Are you sure you saw it correctly?"

"Yes. No doubt about it."

"A slached neck?"

"Yes."

A slaced neck? What are they talking about?

"Hmmm. I'll have a look into in. Maybe I can figure something out."

I turn the few corners to get to my room, but their conversation kept replaying in my head. A slached neck? What was that all about? As I get to my room, I see Olivia entering my room. I rush to get there in time and as Olivia puts the tray on the table, I enter the door.

"Hi, Olivia."

"Hi, Kathy. How are you?"

"I'm great, thank you."

"Well, here's your food. Enjoy."

"I will, thank you."

Olivia helps me back into bed and makes sure I'm comfortable before she leaves. I stare at the food in front of me. At least I can eat on my own now. 

Even as I ate, Lucy and Brina's conversation kept replaying in my head. What is going on here? What or who did Brina see and who is Brina really? It seems like the fact that I got to know her in the past few days didn't really help. Who are you really, Brina?