Her Missing Half

Joanna’s heart pounded violently in her chest as she stood in front of Room 145.

She clenched and unclenched her fists at her sides. Once she stepped into the room, her life as she knew it would cease to exist. She tried to take a breath, but her nerves were stretched too thin to be soothed by a breath.

After living as a single child for sixteen years, she’d found out only last week from her parents that she had a sister – a twin, no less! They’d been born as Siamese twins and had to undergo separation surgery. Joanna had come out of it basically unscathed, but Julia hadn’t been so lucky. As a result, she’d had to spend all of her life hospitalized.

Joanna still hadn’t forgiven her parents for keeping it from her for so long, but she wished they had come up with her instead of waiting downstairs. At least their presence would help calm some of her nervousness.

After many agonizing minutes, Joanna let out a long and heavy breath then shook out her hands. Before she could talk herself out of it, she grabbed the door handle and pushed. There, laying on the bed and staring at her with wide eyes was the twin sister she’d never met.

Time stopped as they stared at each other, both unsure how to make the first move. Then to Joanna’s surprise, Julia broke into an amiable smile and said, “You really do look like me.”

Just like that, time started again, and Joanna let out a nervous laugh. She liked her already. Slowly, she walked toward the bed until she was sitting beside Julia. She was the picture of frailty as she lay there with IVs and wires hooked up to her, but her brown eyes were bright with curiosity and her smile was sure.

It was that smile that gave Joanna the boldness to speak. “It’s nice to meet you, Julia.”

“You too, Joanna.” She shifted slightly so that she was facing Joanna. “So, what have I missed in the last sixteen years?”