Don't Forget To Breathe

Chapter 24

When I was a kid, my mother once told me that the best thing you could do to get to know someone would be to listen to them talk. She assured me that this was the best way of getting to know what was in someone's heart. Since she told me this, I have been a keen listener. Paying the closest bit of attention to the things people tell me because it is important to remember the little things. They're the ones that show you the person's true intentions.

But no matter how great of a listener I think myself to be the words that fell from the woman's mouth don't seem to register clearly.

Her sister, I think.

Her sister died in the car accident, that's what she told me. Did she lie to me? Has she been lying this entire time?

She wouldn't do that

Then again, that's what I thought about Alycia

"Um," I heard the woman say "Are you okay?" she asks

"Her sister is dead," I say quickly and thoughtlessly.

I had no real intentions to say those words aloud but they were in my head and before I could catch myself they launched themselves into the atmosphere. Now it is too late for me to catch them.

"Yes," the woman said with sadness in her voice "Our youngest sister Sofi," she says "I'm her older sister"

I shake my head in disbelief "Older sister" I mumble.

As much as I want to deny it, and tell this woman she's crazy because my girlfriend would never hide this from me, the physical resemblance is uncanny.

"Half sister" she adds nervously as she lets out a breath "Listen, she didn't know I was coming so if you need me to come back at a better time..." she trailed off

I shake my head knowing that I had to get to the bottom of this, if only out of curiosity.

"No," I tell her "Come on in," I say as I step aside to allow her into our home.

I take a look at her and notice her wondering eyes exploring her new surroundings. I sigh and lead her to the living room asking her to take a seat.

Before I could excuse myself to go get Camila I hear footsteps heading in our direction

"Lauren," a distant voice says "Can we watch that show with all the women in prison that we watched last time?" Camila asks. A few nights ago I put on Orange Is The New Black and she got hooked on the show. We've been watching it every night since yet somehow she can never remember the shows name.

She comes out of the hallway and into the living still not seeming to notice the other woman's presence

"I really like it and we didn't get to fini-" she stops when she finally sees the stranger sitting on the couch.

Due to Camila's entry, Diane stands up and smiles letting out a breath.

"Camila," she says. Her voice full of emotion as I stand between the two women watching the interaction unfold. There was almost a look of disbelief haunting her features but my girlfriend was seemingly unfazed.

"Hi," Camila says chirpy "I'm so sorry I didn't realize we had company," she says looking down at her sweatpants and my red sweatshirt that she has claimed as her own "I would have changed into something else" she chuckled as her eyes landed on me.

Her voice sounded professional, in the same way, she speaks to my colleagues and the music producers and engineers at the studio. Definitely far from how you sound when reuniting with a loved one.