Unfolding Truths: KO x LMM

Five

Karen stood next to her children in line for a ride at Disney Land. They had taken them there for their 14th birthday. "Mom! We gotta go to Sea World tomorrow!" Manuel said. His sister had gotten her birthday wish, unlike him. Gracie, in his eyes, always got what she wanted while he got nothing. He never felt like he was chosen for anything. He felt like he got his sister's sloppy seconds. His mom prioritized her and gave little to no attention to him.

"I'll think about it, Manny." Karen squeezed his shoulder. "Gracie, what are you most excited for?"

"The fireworks!" The newly turned 14 year old giggled.

"Oh, same baby."

"Of course you wouldn't ask me." Manuel muttered.

"Manny, I know you don't want to be here, but we did what you wanted for your birthday last year."

"No we did not."

"Seriously, at least you're here. At least we're all together. And last year, we went to the Yankees vs Red Socks game. That's what you wanted." Karen said.

"No! That's what Gracie wanted! Because Gracie gets everything she wants!"

"You've been talking about going to see that winter fair next week. We'll go do that."

"Fine." Manuel muttered.

That next week was going to take an emotional toll on the family. One they were both dealing with silently.

The horse drawn carriage that Karen had forced Manuel to take Gracie on was going to become the worst memory for the 14 year old girl.

The two horses spooked and took off, the carriage came unhinged and crashed into a set of bleachers. Gracie survived but Manuel's injuries killed him a week later in the hospital. A punctured lung, broken ribs and a brain injury along with an induced coma. Karen felt responsible but Gracie took it the hardest. He had been her twin, her best friend.

"Please don't talk about him." Karen said.

"Mom, he was my brother! My twin! We can't keep acting like he never existed! He's the whole reason I love Hamilton as much as I do! Because he wanted to see it! He showed me the songs, the beauty of it! I miss my brother, Mom! Don't you?"

"He was my son, Gracie! Of course I miss him! Every damn day, I miss my son! Just as much, if not more than you do!"

"Then fucking act like it!" Gracie snapped. "JUST FUCKING ACT LIKE IT! I CAN'T KEEP ACTING LIKE HE NEVER EXISTED!" The teen had finally reached her breaking point. "IT'S MY FAULT MANUEL IS DEAD!"

"No! Gracie, it is not your fault." Karen said, immediately took their daughter in a hug. "Never say something like that again."

"But if I hadn't begged to go on that carriage ride, he'd still be here. Mom, it's all my fault." She rested her head on Karen's shoulder, crying into them.

"Gracie, the horses spooked, no one could have guessed that. I know it was traumatic, I watched your brother die, we both did."

"You didn't see him die, you just saw him get the injuries that eventually caused it." Gracie said. "You told me not to see him in the hospital without you that day. You were working late at the college and wanted us to go together. But I went anyway. When I got there, there were doctors and nurses swarmed around him. When they saw me, they ushered me in because he was awake. He smiled at me, Mom. He could talk, but it was all a raspy whisper. I immediately ran to his side and one of the nurses offered to take a 'happy reunion' picture for us. But she accidentally left on the flash and it triggered something. He squeezed my hand, seized and passed away within less than a minute. Manuel died in my arms, Mom. All for one stupid picture with my brother. I had plenty photos with him but I was selfish and agreed to have one more."

"You were not selfish for wanting that picture. Not if he wanted it to."

"He did, Mom. His smile said it all. It was a real smile. Not like the fake ones he'd had plastered on his face before. He was depressed Mom. But something about having me there put a genuine smile on his face. I still remember his last words to me."

"What did he tell you?"

"He said 'I love you the most, Gracie, more than anyone'." Gracie said, looking down.

"Of course he loved you the most, Gracie." Karen said with a reassuring smile. "You were his twin, his best friend. I'm not surprised he loved you the most."

"Than you Mom."

"Did he say anything about me? While you were with him?"

"I don't remember." Gracie said, lying to protect her mom's feelings.