Chapter 11

My little sister Daniella or Anna for short was in an accident. I say little but she was, in fact, about half an inch taller than me, and she was only a few minutes younger than me. Yep we’re twins. After my mother told me about the accident, I was in such a rush to get to the hospital that I hadn’t realized I had left without my shoes. We had been there for about an hour before I had the mind to make a phone call. I debated on if I should call Val or not. After all, she was going through a lot too.

When she picked up on the other end, I let my breath out after holding it the entire time since I started to dial the number. After I heard her heavenly voice I quietly said, “Hi Val.”

I thought I was talking calmly but Val asked, “What’s wrong? You sound so sad.”

“My sister Daniella was in an accident.” I sniffed out.

“Oh my God! What happened,” Val asked.

“She was in a car with her friend doing last-minute shopping for the Valentine’s Day dance. When a drunk driver ... when a drunk driver ... hit them. I’m at the hospital now.” I was sure I was pretty incoherent by the end.

Without hesitation, Val said, “I’ll be right over. Will she be okay? Can I do anything you and your family?”

“You don’t need to do that. You have enough to deal with.” I said.

“Will you’re a wonderful person and I’m sorry, but that’s bull. Of course I need to be there for you at a time like this.” Val stated.

“Okay. I guess you’re. When I first called I felt I just need to talk,” I sniffed and looked down at my feet. “You know the crazy thing about this? Both the drunk driver and Tasha, my sister’s friend could walk out of this with a few bruises and a couple of broken bones, but my sister is in a coma. You know, when my mom told me, Anna was in an accident I ran out of the house so quick I literally left my shoes at home. I feel like I’m going to lose my mind here. Silly to be thinking of something as small as shoes at this moment, I know. I’m just trying to keep my mind off some things.” I’m not sure, but I think I was now starting to cry.

“What room is your sister in? Where are you now,” Val asked. As soon as I gave her the info she asked for, she said, “I’ll be over as fast as I can.”

Before I could say anything to stop her, Val hung up the phone. I worried what she would think of seeing me like this. I just hoped she wouldn’t think any less of me. As soon as I thought that a strange feeling ran through me. It almost felt like a memory. But then a flash of Tiffany moaning out my name as I slid into her came to mind. I tried to shake that image out of my mind, for the most part it and the strange that feeling left.

It really didn’t take Val long to get there. When she got there she threw her arms around me and kissed my cheek. Then she looked into my eyes and then put her head on my shoulder.

“I’m so sorry for this. I’m so, so sorry. I’m here for you. I’ll help in any way I can.” Val told my shoulder.

I just held her tight and thanked her. It was then that I noticed my mother and two step-sisters.

“It is kind of you to come down here like this. Willard is ... we’re all very close to Daniella.” My mother told Val.

Val ran over to my mother and hugged her.

“How is she doing,” asked Val.

My mom forced a smile and said, “Finally out of the ICU. She’s in a coma though. That bastard is going to pay for this.” My Kotter took a few deep breaths. “Can we talk about something else? I would like to concentrate on something on the brighter side of life.”

We all sat down in the waiting room. It was strange seeing my mom and dad in the same room and still getting along after more than five minutes. Before the divorce things weren’t really bad between them, they just didn’t click anymore. I guess it could be because she wanted more sex than he was willing or able to give. I think he suspected she was going elsewhere for what she wanted. But for some reason he still acted as if he respected her. It wasn’t until my dad said he wanted Daniella and my other siblings to live with him after the divorce that things got really bad between them.