Into You

I ran, to start over

It was never easy. I was 20 when Chelsea was killed and I was left alone to care for a 9 month old child.

The police found her body a few weeks later. The towns sheriff was ill equipped so thought she was me. They ran a DNA test and since we're identical twins it's the same for us both. They foolishly never checked dental records or her finger  prints, I guess that's what you get for living in a small town.

From what I read in the online version of our towns newspaper, Chelsea was buried in the local graveyard, next to great aunt Emelda.

Her obituary read, "Raylene Fitzgerald, beloved daughter, sister and niece. May her youthful spirit rest ever after."

It was weird, being dead, but still living. I knew this meant I had to leave Raylene behind. I couldn't be me anymore. In order to keep Lily safe I had to start over. I wouldn't just be acting as her mother. I was her mother now.

Chelsea was dead. But I had to live on as her. I had to carry on for the three of us.

So I moved away with Lily, we stayed in a motel for a week while I looked for a place for us to stay. When Emelda died she left money for Chelsea and I, Chelsea never got hers because she didn't go to the funeral but I did. I never spent it, being levelheaded me I kept it safe.

Thankfully I did as it meant I had over $30,000 including Chelsea's money. On top of that I had $10,000 in savings from after paying the mortgage. I thought about selling the house but pushed that thought aside. It was all I had left of my family and that was something I'd rather not get rid of.

It was more than enough to keep us afloat until I could find a new place for us to call home. There was another town down south which seemed like a good place to raise a child. The landscapes were beautiful, full of nature and the crime rate was low. They had only one place up for rent, a small farm house on a ranch. The owner was still using the acreage around it but was willing to rent the house for a reasonable fee.

I rang up and an old woman answered in a motherly tone.

"Hello Dear, this is Maggie here at Bramley Ranch. How can I help you?"

I heard the strong southern twang in her voice and then replied, "Good evening, I'm really sorry for the late call but I just wanted to enquire about the farmhouse you've got for rent."

"Oh! Of course, and don't worry your pretty little head about the time, old age comes with eternal waking apparently. But enough about that, when can y'all make it down here? I'll be in all day tomorrow but on Tuesday I gotta go up North to grab some of that good chocolate from that Mr Hershey fella."

I breathed out a laugh, "Erm, I can do tomorrow around noon if that's okay, I just need to pick up some things on the way."

Maggie chuckled lightly,"Well that's all dandy with me sugar, just come on through with the first two months rent and all should be okay."

"Okay Maggie, thank you so much - you're a lifesaver."

"Its not an issue at all girly, you just get here safe alright? I'll see you tomorrow, God bless!"

And that's how I ended up at the ranch with Lily. It really was a great place to live, but we couldn't stay for long. I knew we had to keep moving. We were there for a year and a half. Just after Lily's second birthday people started asking questions, they said she looked a lot like a man who owned a bigger ranch up state.

Lily had grown so much and we'd both become very comfortable with Maggie. She was like a grandmother to us both and spent most of her evenings with us. She really was a lifesaver for me, especially when I had to work late at the diner in town, she was always willing to care for Lily.

But I couldn't risk our safety, anonymity was a must for us in this town. I'd adjusted to being Chelsea and Lily called me "mama", it was a bittersweet feeling, but as long as nobody questioned anything I was content.

But people were starting to question things. Like where was Lily's dad? Who was he? And I couldn't skirt around the issue anymore so I up and left.

Maggie was devastated but it wasn't something I could help. Lily came first. Always.

So we moved and I quickly learnt to keep doing that. Keep running, don't stay still for long. For the next three years we hopped up and down the country. I always made sure we had everything we needed and Lily was happy.

We were staying in an apartment near the beach when I got a call on my cell. I had very few people in my inner circle and not many of them had my number so I was a bit surprised.

Lily, who was almost five was sat playing in the sand. She looked so much like Chelsea, so I guess me as well, a part from her green eyes. They were so beautiful. They obviously came from her estranged father.

I answered the phone and glanced back at Lily.

"Hello?"

"Hey Chelsea Dear, it's me Maggie." Maggie's voice was quiet and lacking in her usual enthusiasm and joy. I knew something was wrong.

"Maggie? What's wrong? Are you alright?" I spoke, rushed with urgency.

A wheeze of a laugh was heard through the phone. "Don't worry about me darlin'. I just wanted to catch up, I haven't seen you or my little sunshine in so long."

"Cut the crap Maggie. I've known you for too long. Something's wrong and you know I'll suss it out sooner than later. Spit it out."

"Look at all that sass! I knew you'd be trouble little girly." Maggie chuckled to herself.

I sat up from my place on the beach and began picking at the fluff on Lily's jasmine doll - a nervous habit I've never managed to get rid of.

"Go on Mags, you'll give me palpitations if you don't tell me." I said as worry began to seep into my voice.

She inhaled a heavy breath and breathed it out as she unloaded her burdened mind to me over the phone.

"It's bad girly. I-I'm not gonna be here much longer. Doctor says two years, maybe three. Nowhere near long enough for me to get that huge ugly ass hat to wear at my little Sunshine's wedding."

We both laughed, even in such a serious and scary moment, we laughed.

Apparently there was something wrong with her heart. A cholesterol build up from all those pies she loves. "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" she always says, that may be true but that doctor definitely didn't mean a slice of apple pie a day.

"Erm, okay Mags. I can get to the ranch by tomorrow afternoon. I just gotta pack up some things and sort out Lily's schooling."

Maggie was quick to bite back, "Now don't you dare! I only told you this so it wouldn't be a shock if I kicked the bucket early."

"Maggie!" I screeched. "You can't just say stuff like that."

"Well why not? Its me dying not you. Gosh you can be so self centered sometimes." Maggie mumbled under her breath.

I shook my head, this woman.

"Right well I'm coming anyway. I'll come and be all 'self centred' in your home as long as Lily and I get to see you."

"Alright, but please don't pressure yourself because of me."

I smiled to myself,  she's sassy and caring.

"I'm coming. See you tomorrow Maggie. Oh and Maggie, I love you."

I'd lost too many people without telling them that. I wasn't gonna let Maggie be another one. I wasn't gonna run away this time.

I was running back. Back home.