Uncovered

Emily

Emily's POV

I can't remember much of my childhood, but what I can remember is one strange moment in particular. In that moment I remember sitting in the doctors office with my mother for a routine checkup or so I had thought. 

"Emily honey I know its scary, but this decision is a big one that I can't make for you unfortunately."

My mom was the one always making choices for me, being overly protective since my father had died. She never did go into detail about what happened to him, but I knew that it was bad. The day she found out about him I was only seven years old just returning from school on the bus. I had ran into the house excited to tell her everything that happened during the day until I heard sobbing coming from inside their bedroom. I never saw either of my parents cry until that fateful day. They were always so gentle and kind to one another, I couldn't ever imagine that he had done or said anything to her that would make her this upset. I cracked their bedroom door open to find her sitting on his side of the bed looking at a picture frame, the picture was from their honeymoon where they were sitting beach side smiling at each other with such love that it radiated out of the picture almost to where you could feel it. I ran to her side and that's when she broke the news to me, only enough to how I could comprehend it at such a young age.

"But mom I don't want to make this choice! You always made them for me so why does it matter if I take a green or a purple pill? I don't want to take a pill, but I know you'll make me take it anyways."

I remember pouting because I didn't see the difference one pill or the other could make.

"I know you don't want to take one, but it'll help you grow up to be much much bigger and stronger than you are now! And I know that you're use to me making all your choices, but the doctor wants this to be your choice... I don't have a say in what one you take."

She perked right up with a big smile upon her face trying to hide the worry that lied behind her smile.  

"Mom... I do-"

Before I had time to argue, her demeanor changed in an instant.

"I don't want you fussing or fighting with me on this Emily Marie. You need to pick."

I know she felt bad about snapping at me because her eyebrows had furrowed into a worry look and not an angry one.

"Okay... I will pick. I'm sorry mama."

She kissed my forehead and hugged me tightly. 

"I'm sorry for snapping on you sweetheart, I just want what's best for you"

She kissed me once more and pulled away right before the doctor had walked back through the doorway.

"Hello Emily! It's so nice to have the two of you back for your check-up and for 'the big decision day'. Are you ready or do you need some more time to decide?

"Hi doctor Kissler.. I think I'm ready, but could I have just another minute please?"

I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I just knew that I had to make a decision and it had to be one that would or could alter the rest of my life, I didn't know the consequences of my actions to taking either in that moment. I sat on the waiting table with my fist under my chin holding me up for support. This was by far one of the hardest choices I had to make at only twelve years old. I must've taken a lot longer than I anticipated on responding because as if smoke was pouring out of my ears from my train of thought chugging along, I heard a voice pop into my head.

"Everything okay? You look a little distressed Emily..."

I immediately snapped back to life.

"Oh! Yeah I'm okay, this is just a lot harder than I thought it was going to be. I'm sorry I'm taking so long to give you an answer doctor Kissler."

He gave a small chuckle and fussed with my hair in a playful demeanor.

"Not a problem Emily, take as much time as you need! This must be the very first big decision you're making all on your own huh?"

He glanced over at my mom with a soft smile as she nodded her head in agreement with him.

"It is.. this is the first time my mom won't help me make a decision, she says this is all up to me."

"Well, she isn't wrong. This one will lead you to your next stage in life while you're growing up. You may not know what that next stage will be, but that's why we're here today. We're figuring it out with you one step at a time until that day comes."

I wasn't sure what he meant in that moment, I thought he was trying to hype me up for puberty or something, but now that I know I wish I could go back to that exact moment and run like hell.