by Robyn Bavati
“So, you started your lives in a Brazilian orphanage?” The documentary was filmed in English, with Portuguese
subtitles.
For a moment Marcela was back in that run-down orphanage, arguing with Beatriz. She’d often wondered what had become of the identical twin sisters. She wondered, too, what had happened to the sweet little girl she’d sent to Texas. She’d never spoken of her part in their futures to anyone except Abilio.
“Can you remember it? Can you tell us how you met?”
The girls described their meeting and their decision to swap identities.
“We have some footage of the performance where you danced together,” the interviewer said.
Marcela had never seen anything quite so riveting.
Though both girls were exquisite dancers, only one had become a professional. The other saw her future in books, and had gone to university to major in English.
As Marcela continued to watch the sisters, small differences became apparent. The dancer was the more talkative of the two. The other seemed quieter and more reserved. Between them, they described the way their two families had become one, and the bond that grew stronger and stronger.
Marcela sniffed and blew her nose.
“Marcela, you’re crying!” Abilio said. He put a comforting arm around her shoulder and pulled her close.
“They’ve found each other,” Marcela said.
“I know, meu querido.”
The documentary came to an end and the host was addressing the viewers at home. “We hope you enjoyed that remarkable story. As always, we leave you with just one question: Fate or Coincidence? ”
Marcela smiled through her tears. Had nobody wondered whether Fate and Coincidence had both been given a helping hand?
Acknowledgments
For editorial guidance, sincere thanks to Debbie Golvan, Yvonne Fein, Jane Godwin, and Brian Farrey-Latz. For unbridled enthusiasm, thanks to younger readers Avital Prawer and Rebecca Wein. For picking up on inconsistencies in an earlier draft, many thanks to Lital Weitzman. For thoroughness, dedication, and professionalism in assessing and reassessing each line of the novel, heartfelt thanks to Sandy Sullivan.
Thanks also to the friends and family who share my life and make it all worthwhile, and thank you, readers, for allowing my writing into your lives.
About the Author
Robyn Bavati, mother of three, lives with her husband in Melbourne, Australia. She likes long walks on the beach, 5Rhythms dance, and Japanese tea. Visit her online at robynbavati.com.