Capgras

     From the day Leslie was born to around the age of two, everything was great. The Kassis family was like any other. Lived in a little house on the edge of a lively neighborhood. Everyone in said home was happy and healthy, they spent everyday to the fullest. Little Leslie would sit with her father in the front yard watching him plant tulips in the small garden they owned. She would sit in her highchair and babble to her mother as she made dinner. As her third birthday came around, something wasn't right. Leslie would scream around her father. She hated being around him. His face, kind and loving, would be pushed away by her tiny hands. His hands, gentle and warm, would be scratched and clawed if put around the little girl.

     It only got worse as the years went on. The family only thought that maybe it was just a phase. A strange faze for a young child. Around the age of five she began to tell her friend strange things. Maxwell would sit with the girl everyday, but she never would mention her family, or rather her father, until a day after school.

     ¨Max!¨ Leslie yelled, running and giving the boy a hug. Holding him close and gripping his shoulders tight. She was shaking.

     ¨What's wrong Les?¨ She backed away to look him in the eye. She was terrified. Hearing a man yell her name, she hid behind her friend and watched over his shoulder as the man came into view.

     ¨Come on Leslie, it's time to go.¨ he called, looking for his daughter. Max has seen him before. Whenever at the Kassis home, but Leslie would keep her distance.

     ¨Hello, Richard.¨ Max stated, getting the man's attention. ¨What's wrong with Leslie?¨

     ¨Bring him back!¨ Leslie yelled, glaring at Richard. Her eyes flowing like streams of water down her face. Max gave Richard a look of confusion.

     "Who?" Max asked the girl, giving her a look of concern.

     "Bring dad back!"

     From them Max would walk Leslie home.

     She began therapy when she turned seven. Leslie would only go if Max went with her, he would sit in the waiting room and either read a couple of magazines or play games on his phone. The man Leslie had to see every Wednesday was, annoying to say the least.

     "Leslie, I've been told you don't like your father, why?" David Pine, the therapist asked the young girl, a happy grin plastered on his face and gentle eyes.

     "That man isn't who he says he is. He's a faker, a fraud, a, a..."

     "An imposter?"

     "Yes!"

     At the age of ten she already acted like a high schooler. She would join many extracurricular activities at school to make sure she wouldn't get home until the latest time possible. Richard and Cassidy asked Max to join her, to watch her and make sure she didn't do anything stupid.

     "Leslie, have you taken your pills today?" Max asked as they made their way to the auditorium after school. Leslie shook, her eyes quickly glancing in every direction and her hand scratching at her arm. "You haven't, right?"

     He grabbed her hands and kept them in front of her.

     "Where are they?" his voice was gentle.

     "I flushed them."

     "Why?"

     "They don't help me! I don't want to take them!" she ripped herself out of his grip.

     "They help you feel safe, you need to take them!"

     From then on, Max held onto the extra pills.

     At thirteen, Richard became ill. His facial features fell, the shadows under his eyes became darker and darker as the days went on. His breathing would be labored if he did to much physical labor.

     "Dear, dinner is ready." Cassidy called from the kitchen, setting the table. A crash was heard from the other room and a scream came soon after. She rushed into the room to see her husband on the floor, his face pale and sweaty. Leslie sat on the stairs, starring in horror.

     Cassidy ran to Richard and laid him on her lap.

     "Mom, don't touch him!" Leslie yelled, grabbing her shoulder. "It's a trick! He's gonna take you away just like he did to dad!"

     Ignoring her daughter for the moment, she called 911.

     The first time, since she was three, she spent time with Richard was when she was dragged to the hospital at the age of sixteen. She only said she would go if her new boyfriend Max went with her.

     The ride was painfully slow. The silence was uncomfortable. Max and Leslie sat in the back. He traced small circles on the back of her hand to keep her calm. Cassidy's breath hitched slightly as they pulled into the hospital parking lot.

     Entering the building was awfully awkward, the lady at the front desk had a small smile.

     "Who are you here for?"

     "Richard Kassis." Cassidy's voice broke. Her hands slightly shaking.

     "Room 402"

     "Thank you."

     After the small exchange the awkward silence came back. Swallowing the hallway they walked in. the room was grey, blank, and lonely. The only things with color were the half dead flowers in a vase brought by Max weeks before and a single get well balloon from his daughter, who didn't even want to bring it in the first place, but was convinced by Max.

     You could smell the sickness in the air. Stuffy and heavy and the silence only added to it.

     "How are you doing dear?" Cassidy asked politely, forcing a smile on her face as she sat next to him. Holding his hand in hers. His colorless face turned slightly to get a better look at her, smiling and giving her hand a weak squeeze.

     "Alright, hello Max, sweetheart." his gaze landed on the two behind his wife. Leslie scowling at the nickname, but she didn't argue. "How is school?"

     "Great Richard." Max replied politely. Richard began to cough, his heart race racing. A doctor rushed in, giving Richard a quick look over before ushering the family out of the door.

     "He doesn't have long, I would say your goodbyes while you can." the doctor then left, Cassidy collapsed and went into tears. Sobs wracking her body. Leslie slightly tugged on Max's hand. He looked at her to see her eyes filled with tears, creating streams down her cheeks.

     "Max, why do I feel this way?"

     "He's your father, it makes sense to feel sad." he answered honestly, tears now streaming down his face as Leslie dug her face into his chest, sobbing. The family wiped their tears and made their way back into the room. All getting chairs and sitting at Richard's bedside. Hesitantly, Leslie grabbed his hand, gripping it tightly.

     "Dad, I'm sorry." she whispered, tears streaming down her face. "I don't know what happened. I was so wrong about you, you were always there for me, and all I did was push you away. I'm so sorry."

     The heart monitor began to slow. His breathes getting longer and deeper.

     "It's alright dear, take care of yourself and you mother." his gaze went to Max. "Take care of my family."

     A long beep filled the room. Sobs growing louder as the family. Which was finally put together even if for a moment, was torn apart.