Exposed

by Maller, Andrea

  “What’s the matter, Alyson? Life can go back to normal again. Well, sort of. I know things have changed, and a lot has happened, but my feelings for you... My feelings are... I love you. I don’t want to be without you. Please come home with us.”

  “I want to, Jake. I really do. Wait a second. How did you find us? How did you know this is where we’re living?”

  “We went to the facility. They paged you, but you never showed. We got concerned so I spoke to the director of the program. I told him I was your father and he said this is where the interns are living. The rest, well, you know the rest. Anyway, a lot has changed since you’ve been here.”

  “So, it’s really safe for us to move back? We can go back to living a normal life?”

  “Yes, Alyson. I know adjustments will have to be made, but you don’t have to be worried anymore. Nobody is going to try to hurt you again.”

  “Can you make the nightmares go away? It’s been a little better since we’ve been here. They’re happening less now than when we first got here, but if I go back, back to where it all started,... It’s just too much. I don’t think I can. Not yet,” Alyson said, tears starting to form.

  “But I miss you, Alyson. I love you. Please come home.”

  “I want to, Jake. But not now. I need time.”

  “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to pressure you.”

  “It’s okay. I’m just not ready. I’m not the same person I used to be. I’m not that girl who laughs at all your goofy jokes. I don’t even remember how to laugh. It’s been so long. I’m still trying to learn how not to be afraid all the time. Every time the phone rings. Or there’s a knock at the door. Or a page announcing my name over the loudspeaker. I don’t know how to not be afraid. I want to be who I was. I just don’t know if I ever can.”

  “Don’t you still...”

  “Of course I still love you. But it’s more complicated than that.”

  “No, it’s not. We can work through these things together.”

  “I can’t just go back to the way we were. I’ve changed. I can’t be who you remember.”

  “I don’t expect you to be the same. How could you? You’ve gone through so much. We’re both different people than we were a few months ago. But my feelings for you haven’t changed. My feelings for you will never change.”

  “I can’t leave here, Jake. I have a new life now. I’m doing important research. We’re working on groundbreaking techniques that could revolutionize the way we treat certain diseases. I’m making a difference here. I couldn’t do that if I went back with you.”

  “Then I’ll stay here with you. There’s nothing back home for me if you aren’t with me. I’ll get a job and I’ll find a way to make it here. Please, give us a chance.”

  “You would stay here? For me? You don’t know anybody else here. Where would you live? How would you live?”

  “I don’t know, but I’ll figure it out. I have some money from my dad’s life insurance policy. And I could sell the house. Anything I have to do. I just can’t go back to living without you. Please say you’ll try. Give us a chance.”

  “Dad? Did you know about this?”

  “I knew about his feelings for you, but moving here, this is the first I’m hearing of it.”

  “I don’t know what to do.”

  “This decision is all yours, Alyson. Jake is a good man. He’s proven that. Whatever you decide, I’ll support you.”

  “Alyson, the man flew thousands of miles to be with you. He’s willing to give up everything to move here so you can be together. The only thing you have to decide is if you still love him. Do you?” Cassie said.

  “I..I guess we better find a job for you if you’re going to be living here,” Alyson said, a smile forming on her face.

  “You mean it?”

  “Yes! I don’t want to live without you, either. I’ve missed you so much,” Alyson said, hugging Jake tightly.

  “Careful. I’m still kind of sore from where you beat me within an inch of my life.”

  “Sorry,” Alyson said, loosening her grip.

  “Don’t you dare let go. I’ve waited too long to feel your arms around me again. I can deal with the pain,” Jake said, wincing and smiling.

  “What about you, Cassie? Are you going to stay as well, or do you want to come back with me. I know your father is missing you something fierce.”

  “I’ll go pack my things. I miss him, too. Alyson, I’ll never forget you. I’ll come visit whenever I can. I’m going to miss you. I feel like I’m leaving a part of myself behind, but I need to go back home. I miss my friends. And my old life.”

  “I understand. I’ll try to visit after my internship ends. I’m going to miss you, too. And Dad, I wish you could stay here, but I know you have a life to get back to. And a new wife. You and Samantha need time alone. Starting a marriage with a teenage daughter could put a real strain on a relationship.”

  “You know you’re not the typical teenage daughter.”

  “Yes, I know. Oddly enough, being a clone makes me unique. There aren’t too many of us,” Alyson said, unable to stop smiling as her fingers remained interlaced with Jake’s.

  “You know you always have a home with me and Samantha. If you ever want to come back.”

  “I know, Dad. Maybe someday, but not now. I can’t explain it, but this is where I need to be. New country. New life. It’s a chance to start over fresh. And now that I have Jake, I can move forward with someone by my side.”

  “I sure will miss you, Alyson,” Charles said, hugging his daughter.

  “You and Samantha can visit as soon as she’s strong enough. And who knows? Maybe the three of us can even work together someday. A family of scientists working together to make a better world.”

  “You truly are a unique and gifted woman.”

  “Wow! Did you just use the ‘W’ word, Dad?”

  “As much as I wish you were, you’re not a little girl anymore. You are a very wise young woman who is going to do just fine without her father watching over her shoulder.”

  “Oh, Dad.”

  “That doesn’t mean this shoulder isn’t here for you anymore. I’ll always be here if you need me.”

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  “I’m all packed,” Cassie said, holding a small suitcase.

  “Then I guess this is it. Take good care of her, Jake. Samantha and I will visit as often as possible. You know you are a part of this family now. If you need anything.”

  “Thank you for being more of a father to me than my own ever was. Alyson is very lucky to have you.”

  “She’s lucky to have both of us.”

  “Okay, guys. Enough of the mushy stuff. Cassie has a life to get back to, and I guess Jake and I have one to get started. Good-bye, Dad. I love you.”

  “I love you more, Alyson.”