This choice: Renee, a high-school senior- and your wife's daughter from her first marriage! • Go Back...
You looked at the sleeping 18 year old, trying to see your wife instead of her daughter. They were similar, both with long straight hair, blue eyes, and a cute "girl next door" look. But Renee was blond and had a lithe, athletic build from her many sports in school - and, of course, she was 20 years younger. Objectively you might say that this was an "upgrade" for Sarah, now being younger, healthier, and prettier.
But aside from the issues she would have to face now being her own daughter, you struggled with conflicting emotions. Renee was popular, with an easygoing and friendly personality - for most people. To you, she had always been cold, almost hateful, seemingly blaming your marriage for making it impossible for her parents to get back together. "Not that there had been any chance of that!" you said to yourself, knowing that their split was quite final long before you entered the picture.
You had tried over and over again to establish some sort of relationship with Renee, at least as friends if not as family, but she continually rebuffed you, eventually leading to you disliking her as well. You called her spoilt on more than one occasion; a not unfair comment, you thought, considering how her father treated her.
Now could you get past that?
You sat in thought and continued to wait.
A little later Sarah began to stir. "Jim?" she muttered weakly.
"I'm here, honey," you told her, taking her hand. "Doctor, she's awake!" you called out. Doctor Saunders arrived just as Sarah opened her eyes to see you. "Wuh...what happened?" she asked. "We were in the car and..." she jerked suddenly. "Something hit us! It hurt so much - and then I can't remember anything else."
"Shh, it's fine now, darling. You were hurt very badly and the doctors saved your life." You hesitated and she looked at you questioningly. "But?" she prodded. She glanced at the doctor. "What's wrong with me? Am I paralyzed? Maimed?"
"No, nothing like that," you assured her. "You're perfectly healthy. It's just that...the doctors had to do a new transplant to save you." You looked at the doctor helplessly, not sure how to explain.
Doctor Saunders could be incredibly technical but still had an excellent bedside manner. As he explained what had been done to Sarah, her eyes widened in disbelief. You nodded, adding "I know it sounds like scifi but it's true." Eventually the news sinks in.
Sarah asked for a mirror so the doctor handed her one. She stared at her reflection for several minutes, touching her face with her hands in wonder at first, and then with an expression of shock.
"Renee! Oh no..." she cried out, bursting in tears.
For the next few hours you simply held her.
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