Exact copy (Part 1)
Michael will come in an hour, when I still have nothing done. I was running around the kitchen as I was wound-up.
Finally, I have a man appeared in my life with whom I feel myself happy. To be honest, I didn’t understand at once that he is the only one I was dreaming about. After my husband abandoned me, it was hard enough to get into my circle of trust. But Michael managed to do it, also it was very challenging for him. I still feel awkward about him.
A story about the husband turned out dolefully. Probably I endeavored too hard for him. When we bought a car, I got fixed up in a second job. Just wanted to close a loan as fast as possible. I barely stood on my feet when I came home. But there was no time to rest, I ought to feed my man.
And after he was laid off, he became just unbearable. But I endured. I understood that it’s hard time for him. At some moment his depressions turned into fits of anger, a string of scandals began. It’s complicated to say why I didn’t leave him, most likely it was compassion together with a six-year habit.
We had been dating for two years, and everything was simply magnificent. But when he made a proposition and we got married, it was like he was quite a different person. Routine life had begun, and Gerald was totally unready for it.
I still remember the evening when I came after work and he was packing his stuff with some female student.
“– I’m sorry, Milly, but our matrimony has exhausted itself. – He told me with indifference. – I hope the divorce will be without any excesses”.
I didn’t even say a word, I kept standing in a hallway at a total loss. And when they went away, I sat down near the window, looking at the evening city till deep night.
At that time I made only one conclusion. If fire stops burning, there’s no point in running around its site trying to get warm.
A doorbell interrupted my memories, and smile immediately appeared on the face.
– To be honest, I thought you will be a bit later. – I said while opening the door. But the person behind it wasn’t Michael… She was far from Michael.
Creeps ran over all my body because of surprise.
– I’m sorry, probably I should call you first. – My exact copy was standing at the doorstep. – I’m Rachel, your sister. – And she smiled and gave me her hand.
I can’t even partially describe what has happened inside me. The whole range of emotions which people could have rushed into my life all at once.
– I was waiting for something like that, I was in the same condition when I learnt about all of this.
A phone call led me out of stupor. I picked up the phone and gestured to invite Rachel to my home.
– Hi, Michael. – My consciousness gradually returned to normal.
– Listen, I am to linger. There’s a small accident at work.
– Something serious? – I asked with emotion.
– Well, no, a new engineer came and brought down all the settings. The work takes an hour and a little, not more. Don’t take offence at me, please, okay? I’ll try to finish it faster. – He is always afraid of offending me.
– Everything is alright, don’t worry. I’ll just finish with dinner. If it succeeds, I’ll introduce my sister to you. – I looked at Rachel who was still standing in hall not knowing where to go.
– I didn’t know you have a sister. – Michael was surprised.
– Neither did I. O.K., let’s talk after meeting. I’m waiting for you.
– Alright, honey. Bye. I’ll try to be faster. – He said one more time.
***
– You have a nice flat. – Rachel looked around. – Did you create the design by yourself or the specialists helped you?
– Could say by myself, there were such specialists. – I waved offhandedly. – You may go to the living room while I’m making coffee for us. – I was always courteous to my guests.
– Thank you, I don’t want. I had a snack in a small café before coming to you. – She was radiant with happiness.
I must admit I was very happy, too. We have a lot to talk about. It’s a pity that our parents cannot say anything anymore. Dad was gone when I was a little child. Mother – two years ago, didn’t undergo an operation. She should have had tumor removed.
Doctors quickly said that there’s almost no chance. Cancer was discovered too late, at its last stage. Cases of healing with such diagnosis in the whole world can be counted on fingers. But let’s not talk about sad things, my sister, about the existence of which I learned fifteen minutes ago, is sitting in front of me now. And I want to know everything about her.
– It’s strange that parents didn’t say anything about you. – I thoughtfully glanced at the family photo.
– I don’t know how this story got its beginning. But before his death father told me that I have a native sister. And that we are similar to each other as like as two peas. – She was telling me about herself, when I was listening to her as I was spellbound. – I didn’t get any details from him, and moreover, I didn’t believe him at first. And anyway how I could believe alcoholic with twenty-five years of experience. – Rachel thought about her past and was about to fail keeping back her tears.
I hugged her and had a strange feeling. I wanted to cry, too, but only because of happiness. I can’t convey my emotions, I had so many of them during the day that I completely cannot tell them apart.
– I haven’t ever introduced myself, I’m Milly. – I wanted to calm her down as fast as possible. – You know what? Stay with me today. – I glanced at her with inquiring look.
– I don’t even know, I don’t want to cause any inconvenience to you. – Rachel totally hanged her head.
– Come that way: you stop crying and I go for napkins.
– O.K. – Rachel smiled through tears.
There was such a mess in my room I could hardly find what was needed.
And when I returned to the kitchen, another surprise was waiting for me. Rachel was looking at me holding a kitchen-knife in her hands.
– So, little sister, it’s time to say goodbye to each other. – My guest said and slowly went to my side...
Author: Shturenkov Sergey