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“Yes, I would like to see my sister, Evangeline Moore.”
The lady nodded with a knowing smile “I should’ve recognized you; you look just like her. I believe they’ve taken her outside into the garden. Would you like me to show you the way?”
“That is very kind, but I know the way.”
“Of course.”
Gwen gave her a polite smile before walking down the hallway, past the library and dining area, and out the side doors into the garden. There had been a time where she’d been here every week and every time it felt like coming home.
Evangeline was sitting in her wheelchair overlooking the garden from the terrace, with a nurse by her side. This care home was one of the only ones that offered this kind of treatment for their patients. They believed even though Evangeline wasn’t responding, it didn’t mean she was less of a human or had lesser needs. They made it a point to take Evangeline with them on adventures, such as going into the garden or on walks, and Gwen loved the nurses for it.
As she stepped closer, the nurse looked up and Gwen recognized her as Stacy, who’d been caring for Evangeline for the past six years.
Stacy started smiling as her eyes lit up in recognition. “Gwendoline Moore, what a pleasant surprise! I was just telling Evangeline about our call last week.”
“Hello Stacy.”
Stacy jumped up and offered Gwen her seat next to Evangeline. Gwen leaned down and took Evangeline’s face into her hands. Her eyes were open, but empty. They showed no sign of recognition whatsoever. It hurt deep within her heart to see her sister like that. She was right there, yet so far away. Too far away for her to ever return.
“How are you, Evie? Enjoying the gorgeous weather before the summer gets too hot again?”
“Would you like some water while sitting out here? I was about to grab one myself.”
“That would be wonderful, Stacy.”
Stacy nodded, walked inside and disappeared out of sight. She’d always been a wonderful nurse and had been there for Gwen whenever she needed someone to talk to or just a shoulder to cry on. Stacy understood what Gwen was going through, unlike many other people. Most people didn’t understand what it meant to have a sister or any family member in a persistent vegetative state. Most of the advice Gwen had been given was to let go and just let Evangeline be, but that wasn’t as easy as one may think.
Evangeline had been her second half, and that part of her soul had been ripped out without a warning. After the accident, Gwen had to learn how to be alone. Up to that point, she’d always done everything as a pair. Evangeline and Gwen had shared a room, friends, clothes, food, and everything else imaginable. She’d always pictured her life with Evangeline by her side, and from one night to the other everything had changed.
Gwen took Evangeline’s hand in hers and overlooked the garden. It was beautiful out, and many people were strolling around or gardening together. She heard footsteps and turned her head to see Stacy returning with a glass of water in her hands.
She handed it to her and smiled down at her. “I’ll be inside, but if you need anything just come and I’ll help you. I’m sure you two have lots to talk about.”
“Thank you.” Gwen leaned closer to Evangeline and laid her head on her shoulder. She took a deep breath and tried to stop her tears. “I know I haven’t been here in quite some time, and I’m sorry.”
Gwen knew she didn’t hear her or process her words, but she didn’t have anyone else left to talk to. Even before their mother’s death, Gwen had lost all her social life while trying to care for her in her last months. It had gotten even worse after her mother died, and Gwen got hit by all the hospital bills that had been left behind.
“I have some good news to share with you. I got a new job.” Trying to calm herself, Gwen started to draw circles on Evangeline’s hand. “I start on Monday as a personal assistant for a real estate agency–or rather, their bosses. It’s three brothers and I’ll manage all their appointments, emails, and phone calls. They pay really well, gave me a company car, and are offering me housing. It’s a little further away in Rosenberg and their office is downtown.”
She'd never told Evangeline about her financial struggles, it was silly but she hadn't wanted to worry her. Gwen knew, and had been told a thousand times, that Evangeline wasn’t there anymore, that her body was just an empty shell, but deep down she couldn’t accept it.
“I’ve only met one of the brothers so far, his name is Amon. He seems like a very strict and serious man. I’m a little afraid of disappointing him and not being able to do the job to his and his brothers’ standards. They are very well known in real estate and have very high-class clients. I haven’t seen a house on their website that looks less than at least a few million.”
It felt good to say her fears out loud and to get it off her chest. Now that she’d said it all, it felt less potent.
“They told me I could even use the car for private drives, so I’ll try and come by more often, depending on work.”
Gwen stayed with Evangeline for the rest of the day. Stacy invited her to have lunch with them, and Gwen took Evangeline on a walk through the garden. A lot of people had called Gwen and her mother crazy for having Evangeline stay here. They said it was a rip off because Evangeline couldn’t feel or do anything anyways. Somedays Gwen thought she might agree, but on other days she knew this was the right decision. Especially because Evangeline’s care was paid by the drunk man who’d caused the accident. Evangeline deserved the best treatment no matter what, and it soothed Gwen’s pain to have her there.
In the evening, Gwen helped the nurses transfer Evangeline back into bed and get her settled in for the night. She cuddled up with her for another hour and watched TV before leaving. With tears in her eyes, as usual, Gwen leaned down to her sister and kissed her forehead.
“I love you, Evie. I’ll try to come back after I settle in with the new job.”
Gwen quickly left and drove off. At home she heated up some instant ramen and sat on the bed reading one of the free books she’d found on her Kindle app. Because she was so emotionally drained from the day, she passed out with the phone still in her hand.
She spent Saturday cleaning and packing up her things. With the moving money Mr. Seavey had sent her, she bought a few cardboard boxes from Home Depot and started folding her clothes and packed up all her memorabilia. Other than that, she didn’t own much. A few pots and pans, a glass or two with some cutlery, plates, blankets, pillows, and not even a handful of books.
She would leave the furniture behind. It didn’t mean anything to her, and she’d gotten it for free or very cheap second hand. Trying to keep busy and her mind far away from the day ahead, she cleaned the whole apartment. She already felt bad for not paying rent the past two months and didn’t want to leave the apartment a mess.
