26 - Truth Revealed - Draft

Angela entered Darcy’s room with the strength of their mother’s love and assurances guiding her. She kept telling herself that Darcy would remember and understand. The alternative was too heartbreaking to think about. If it happened, she’d deal with it then.

“Did you talk to them?” Darcy gleefully asked as she entered.

“Yes. They’re here if you want to talk to them now. I can always send them away if you’re not ready. They’ll understand.”

“Will you stay here with me?”

“Of course.”

“Okay then. I’ll talk to them.”

Darcy expected Angela to go get them but she stayed seated. Angela kept her eyes on the floor as she got up the nerve to utter those words.

“Aren’t you going to get them? Is everything okay? What’s wrong, darling?” Darcy asked with concern and love in her voice.

Angela burst into tears and laughed slightly. Darcy always did talk like Momma Frannie. It wasn’t any wonder why strangers believed her to be Frannie’s daughter. They were so much alike.

“Well, I’m glad that you’re at least laughing. It can’t be all that bad then. I love you, darling. Whatever’s wrong we can deal with it together, okay? You just tell me whenever you’re ready, okay?” Darcy said trying to ease Angela’s heart and mind.

Angela chuckled again as she continued to wipe tears from her eyes. Darcy always knew how to make her smile in the worst possible situations. She made her feel like there wasn’t anything that they couldn’t tackle together. Losing that. Losing Darcy was probably the hardest blow to take twenty five years ago. It was time to set the record straight.

“I’m Juanita,” was all that she uttered. It was all that she could get out. Her heart felt like it was in her throat. She didn’t know what else to say even if she could get the words out. Thankfully those two words were enough.

“What did you say? You’re Juanita. Your name is Angela though,” Darcy began as she tried to work through the meaning of the words spoken. “I don’t understand.”

Juanita couldn’t speak. She just kept her eyes on the floor trying desperately to figure out what to do. It was as if her whole body was frozen. After a long pause, Darcy had finally understood even if she couldn’t remember.

“Do you have any photos of us that I can see? Maybe it’ll jog my memory. What were our lives like? Were we best friends? What were your mothers like?” Darcy’s questions came in rapid fire succession. She was so excited to learn about their previous lives together. It seemed like nothing could dampen her spirits.

Juanita smiled and cried tears of joy when hearing Darcy’s response. Darcy would do the same thing when she was younger. Sometimes it seemed like the walls couldn’t contain her excitement and happiness. Juanita knew that everything would be just fine. She had her precious sister back.

Frannie listened from the hallway and cried tears of joy that her daughters were together again. Juanita began telling Darcy all about their mothers as Frannie waited patiently and listened to her two girls  happily chat away once more. Only the return of Henrietta could make this day any better.

“Mom!” Juanita shouted from Darcy’s room. Frannie heard her daughter’s innocent, happy call for her and could’ve sworn that she was transported back in time to when they were young. She gleefully obliged.

Frannie entered to find them sitting side by side on the bed giggling and looking at photos on Juanita’s phone. It was as if the last twenty five years had never happened. Her babies were home. They were finally home.

“Hello, darlings,” Frannie said to announce her presence.

“Hey, Momma Frannie,” the girls shouted in unison without even looking up as they had done a million times before. It took a moment before they all realized the significance of Darcy saying those words. Juanita had never called Frannie, Momma Frannie during their conversation. How did she know what to say? Did she remember?

Juanita and Frannie both stared at Darcy for an explanation. It took a moment for Darcy to respond to their stares, “What?”

“You called her Momma Frannie when you heard her voice. How did you know? Do you remember?” Juanita asked.

“I’m not sure. It just came out naturally. I wasn’t thinking. Give me a minute.”

They both knew to give her time. She’d come to an answer in her own fashion and time. Darcy stared at Frannie and ran through every possible answer in her mind.

“I still don’t know why I said it. It just came to me. I don’t really remember anything but when I see you and hear your voice it’s like I remember a feeling only. A feeling of happiness, peace and love. I don’t know why I feel that way though. I have no memories to back up that feeling. I can’t justify it. Does that make sense?”

“Yes, darling. It makes perfect sense. I’m just so overjoyed to see you again,” Frannie said with a smile on her face and tears in her eyes.

“Can I have a hug, Momma Frannie?” Darcy asked with outstretched arms.

“Anything for you, darling. Anything.”