Even before Kaitlin and Preslee were born, they had an unbreakable bond. Some people say that often happens with identical twins. They can feel what the other one feels, think what the other one thinks, finish one another's sentences. Kaitlin and Preslee were no different. Except their bond was even stronger than anyone could have ever imagined. Here's their story:
Preslee sat on her sister's bed and watched Kaitlin rush around the room, throwing clothes all over the place. Preslee considered herself to be the big sister, although she was only two minutes older than Kaitlin. Since they were kids, Preslee always made sure to look after Kaitlin.
"Can you please just decide on something to wear, Kaitlin? I've been here for an hour waiting on you."
"We are only going to turn 21 once! This is a special day! I want to look my best."
Preslee laughed and rolled her eyes. Kaitlin was definitely the most outgoing between the two of them. She kept up with the current clothes trends, hairstyles and cutest shoes. Whereas Preslee was content with an old pair of jeans and a t-shirt.
Finally Kaitlin found an outfit she was satisfied with. She slipped on the pink sundress and spun around in front of Preslee.
"How do I look?", she asked while smiling.
"You look amazing, as usual. But since when do you have a tattoo?"
"Since last week. How do you like it?" Kaitlin asked while turning so Preslee could see the purple butterfly on her right shoulder.
"It's beautiful. You got a tattoo and didn't tell me?"
"I was going to, but you were always too busy every time I called. So I never actually got a chance to even tell you."
" I can't believe I didn't know for an entire week. We always tell each other every thing."
"Yeah. We do. But we have our own lives and get busy with other stuff."
"Why a butterfly?", Preslee asked.
"Because they are free. Free to fly and roam wherever they choose. No one can tell them what to do. Plus, purple is our favorite color."
Preslee felt sad. She wasn't sure why, but she did. She never wanted to be too busy for Kaitlin. She loved her sister more than anyone or anything.
She knew why the butterfly meant so much to Kaitlin. When she was born, Kaitlin was sick for a long time. Their mom was overprotective of her, and so was Preslee. She knew Kaitlin must've felt tied down most of her life.
"I'm sorry, Kaitlin. I should've made time to talk to you."
"Water under the bridge," she replied with her brilliant smile.
Preslee looked at the young woman standing before her, whose features were identical to her own. Yet, they were so different.
"Let's go, Preslee!", Kaitlin said excitedly.
Preslee was not looking forward to this. She knew this party meant a lot to her sister and their mom, so she went along, but she really didn't like being the center of attention amongst a crowd of people. She hoped it passed by quickly.
They headed outside to Preslee's car.
"Let me drive," Kaitlin said.
Preslee didn't want anyone else driving her classic '69 Mustang, but she'd already felt like she'd let Kaitlin down, so she agreed and tossed her the keys.
"Be careful with my car!", she said to an excited Kaitlin.
Their mom's house was an hour drive from Kaitlin's apartment. Kaitlin and Preslee only lived 15 minutes apart from one another, but sometimes, that even felt too far.
Kaitlin turned on the radio and rolled down the windows. Preslee couldn't help but to enjoy the moment. The warm summer breeze blowing in their hair. It felt so nice to be with her sister.
Out of the corner of her eye, Preslee saw the car swerving towards them from the other lane, and she started to yell for Kaitlin to watch out, but it was too late. Most of the impact of the crash was directed at Kaitlin's side of the car.
The force of the other car hitting the Mustang, sent it rolling several times. It finally stopped when it smashed into the guardrail.
Preslee opened her eyes and groaned in pain. The crash must've knocked her out. She looked towards the drivers seat searching for Kaitlin. What she saw nearly made her scream.
Kaitlin was bleeding, badly. The steering wheel was crushing her chest. Her legs were pinned.
"Preslee..," she whispered.
"I'm here.. I'm here..," Preslee tried to sound reassuring. She didn't want to frighten her sister.
"I can't feel my body."
"Just hold on, Kaitlin. Help is on the way."
Preslee could hear people yelling to her from outside the car, but she couldn't see them. They were telling her 9-1-1 had been called. They were asking her if they were ok. But she couldn't answer. All she could do was look at her sister.
"Hold my hand, Preslee. I'm scared."
Preslee stretched across the broken glass, trying to reach her sister. The seatbelt made it hard to move and it wouldn't unbuckle.
The most she could do was grip the end of her fingers. Kaitlin looked at her and began to cry.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you about the tattoo. I wanted us both to get it. I wanted us to always be connected. To be free, together."
"It's ok! Don't cry. We will go get one for me. Just like yours. I promise. We can go tomorrow."
Preslee knew that wasn't going to be possible, but she was willing to say anything to ease her sister's mind.
Preslee felt the grip her sister had on her fingers ease up.
"Kaitlin!! Hold on!! Please hold on to me! Don't let go! Don't give up!"
Preslee began to cry. She watched as Kaitlin closed her eyes.
"KAITLIN!!! NOOOO!!"
Kaitlin died right there before her eyes. Preslee screamed in agony. Not from the pain of the crash, but from the pain in her heart.
Preslee ripped at the seatbelt, trying to get it off of her so she could get to her sister. She was able to loosen it a little and could grab Kaitlin's hand again.
She cried as she took her sister's hand. She shed a million tears for her sister.
"You are free now, Kaitlin... Free to fly and roam wherever you choose.. I love you so much..."
Preslee closed her eyes then. Shock caused her to pass out.
The next day she woke up in the hospital with her distraught mother leaning over the hospital bed.
"Preslee?"
"Mom... Kaitlin..."
" I know, my love," her mom replied through her tears.
Her mom could only imagine the pain Preslee must be in. Losing her twin had to be like losing her very soul.
"You have to focus on healing now, Preslee. I can't lose you too.."
Preslee couldn't stop the tears from flowing down her face. Kaitlin was everything to her. How could she go on when her sister was gone?
"Your tattoo is beautiful," her mom said, trying desperately to get Preslee's mind on something else.
"Tattoo?"' Preslee asked, somewhat confused.
"Yes. The purple butterfly on your shoulder. I didn't know you even had a tattoo until the doctor mentioned it."
Preslee thought her mother must be losing her mind. Kaitlin was the one with the tattoo, but no one besides Preslee even knew she had it.
"Mom, hand me that mirror, please."
Preslee took the small mirror from her mom and held it so she could see her right shoulder. Sure enough, there was her sister's tattoo.
But how?.. She wondered. Somehow, some way, Kaitlin's tattoo had transferred to her shoulder. Preslee smiled and cried at the same time. She knew she would never be without her sister. Kaitlin would always be there..looking over shoulder, protecting her.
No comments:
Post a Comment