This choice: Strangely comfortable and seem to know a lot about your sister's life • Go Back...Chapter #6Strangely comfortable and seem to know a lot ab... by: fantaghiro   strangely comfortable and much calmer than before. The drugs you had been given must have worn off because you were quite sore, keenly feeling the ache in your arm and the bruises on your body.
You also were very clear-headed. You immediately remembered the conversation with the doctors - the unbelievable news they had given you. But surprisingly enough you weren't panicked now. Instead you felt a sense of acceptance of what had happened and gratitude that you were alive. You were saddened by the loss of your sister, but you had a feeling that she would want you to take advantage of this second chance - to be grateful for her sacrifice and carry on.
It was weird but, in a way, you felt closer to Tabitha than ever before. You let your mind wander while you lay in the bed, thinking back to some of the good times you had together. There was something strange about your memories, a confusion in your perspective. But before you could try to explore it, the door to your room opened and Doctor Saunders walked in.
"Good, you're awake!" he said upon seeing you. "How are you feeling?"
"Much better, Doctor," you answered, lifting yourself slightly from you pillow.
"Excellent. You've been out for several days. We wanted to give you some more time to recover, but everything is looking quite good now." He held your gaze for a few seconds as if trying to gauge your state of mind. "Are you up for visitors? Your parents have been very worried about you..."
"Yes, think so..." you said, feeling a sudden, unexpected desire to see your mom & dad.
"Let me check your vitals first," he said and began giving you a quick exam. You sighed as he worked, feeling impatient. You never cared much for doctors, and avoid going to one if at all possible. You started to think back to the last time you had been - perhaps when you were 12 for that tetanus shot? - when a vivid memory pushed forward. You got an image of your first to an OBGYN - an uncomfortable, embarrassing memory of your mom taking you and explaining that it was an important part of 'becoming a woman.' You felt every sensation, almost as if you were there.
"Huh?" you gasped, pulling back to the present. That had obviously never happened to you - that was Tabitha's memory!
"Tim?" Dr. Saunders asked, pausing to look at you. "Are you okay?"
You looked up at him in confusion. "Doctor? I....I, uh, just remembered something from Tabitha's life. How is that possible? What's happening?"
He gave you a comforting look and gently patted your hand. "That's alright, Tim. It's not entirely unexpected. You see, in order to avoid having to reteach you basic motor skills - walking, talking, etc. - we had to retain some of Tabitha's brain tissue. We transplanted the parts of your brain having most to do with personality and memory. But as it integrates with the remnant's of the donor, you will pick up some of her memories, perhaps even some of her habits and tastes.
That more than anything else you'd learned should have shaken you. Perhaps you were still in shock from all this, but you felt surprisingly calm at Doctor Saunder's pronouncement. Simply knowing that you weren't going crazy - and that maybe some part of your sister was still around - was comforting.
The doctor finished his exam and pronounced you to be in remarkable condition. "We should be able to discharge you very soon," he said, sounding a little amazed at how quickly you had recovered. He stepped out and returned a moment later with your parents in tow.
They rushed to your bed and you sat up to embrace them. You hugged silently for several minutes, both happy to be reunited and
grieving over your shared loss. They then sat down and you all talked softly for a long while. They discussed the accident, Tabitha's death, and their decision to save you. By the time it was finished the three of you were in tears.
The release of your grief was cathartic. After that, you thought that nothing could be as shocking or upsetting. But then your parents told you about their agreement with the hospital. At first you couldn't believe it. How could they expect you to take over your sister's life, to pretend that you were her and that Tim Connors was dead?
Doctor Saunders interceded, explaining slowly and carefully the need to keep the operation secret - and the rather generous payout the hospital was giving your family. "And remember, Tim - we did save your life. Both you and your sister would have died. Is secrecy too high a price for that?"
Grudgingly you came around. After all, you really didn't have any other choice. Your parents had already signed off on this agreement. "So I have to give up my entire life?" you asked. "My friends? Everyone I know?"
Your parents looked at each other. "Not quite, son," your dad said. "Once you leave this room, you will need to be 'Tabitha' from then on. Even at home - we all will need to get used to it. But your mother and I couldn't ask you to go at this alone, so we convinced the hospital to allow an exception - the person closest to you. You'll need someone you can be honest with about who you are, so we told ..."
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