"Kara, sweetheart, are you ok? Richard, come in here!"
"Mom? Kara? Is she ok?"
"Is Kara all right?"
She opened her eyes with a start. She didn't know where she was
(in a pink room)
(in a bedroom)
(in my bedroom)
and Mom was sitting next to her
(moving her arm)
(stroking my face)
and Daddy was in the doorway with his cell phone and Sarah and Paige
(with a towel around her hair)
(she must have finished her shower)
were right behind him. She smiled and said, "It's ok, I just felt dizzy for a moment there
(because I expected someone else in the mirror?)
(I expected someone else)
(I expected me)
(but it looked like me)
and I sat down and then I guess I blacked out."
She tried to sit up and suddenly Daddy
(wait this isn't my dad)
was there, gently pressing her down, and the sense of paternal authority was so great that her doubts disappeared and she stopped rising. "Not so fast, Kitty-Kat," he said, using his old nickname for her
(that's not my nickname)
(my dad calls me "care bear")
(but this is my dad)
(and that's my nickname)
as she sank back down. "You're calling out of cheer practice this morning and school isn't happening either." He immediately read her face. "No buts."
Mom pulled out her own cell phone
(but that's not my mom's cell phone)
(that's not my mom)
(but that is my mom)
(and that's her cell phone)
and with a frustrated look, said, "I forgot, the doctor's office isn't open yet. I'll call and get an appointment for this morning after everyone's out the door."
Sarah came in and grasped her hand. Love flooded her heart for her
(...)
(older twin sister)
(big sister)
and Paige came in, made a face at her, gave her a kiss on the forehead
(I have such a wonderful little sister)
and left. As they filed out, with Mom checking on her again to be sure, Kara drifted off to sleep. In the back of her head, she heard her voice arguing with itself, but she needed the rest.
(But I'm Karyn!)
(But I'm Kara)
