“You passed out?” Hallie demanded. She put a slender hand on Tracy’s forehead. “Are you okay?”
Tracy smiled slightly at her sister’s concern. “I’m fine now. Tay -” She stopped herself. “I’m fine now. I just hadn’t had anything to eat is all.”
Something flickered in Hallie’s green eyes, but was gone as soon as it had come. “As long as you’re okay,” she said.
Tracy looked around the living room. Pictures of Hallie lined the walls; Hallie as a baby, held in a woman’s arms - her mother? Toddler Hallie grasping onto two fingers of a man’s hand - her father? Hallie in first grade; Hallie in a choir robe; Hallie with friends; Hallie at Christmas; Hallie, Hallie, Hallie. Wall-to-wall pictures of the girl with blond hair and glowing green eyes.
“I don’t understand,” Tracy whispered.
“Hm?”
“They seem to love you so much. Why did they give me up?” She looked up at her sister, blinking heavily. “Hallie, why didn’t they love me?”
“Oh, Trace,” Hallie whispered, folding her sister up into her arms. “I don’t know. I don’t. I wish I did. I don’t know why they kept me and not you. I’m sorry.” She rocked her sister back and forth gently. “I’m sorry.”
Tracy took in a shaky breath. “I know,” she said. “But it’s not your fault.” She slowly drew back from her sister. Wiping her eyes clear of unshed tears, she asked, “Where are they, anyway? Our parents?”
“Away,” Hallie said simply. “A second honeymoon. They’ll be gone for a week, at least.” Seeing her sister’s face fall, she added, “I’m sure they’ll be happy to see you when they come home.”
Nodding, Tracy said, “I hope so.”
They sat in silence for a short eternity. Tracy couldn’t think of a thing to say. Just being in her sister’s presence was more than enough for her. Everything was confusing but clear. She and Hallie were meant to be together; that was why they had met. Tracy could remember the day vividly . . .
The AOL Instant Messenger was new to Tracy. An Internet friend had shared with her that she didn’t have to have AOL to have the program, and Tracy had decided it was something to look into. Now she was signed up for the program and had a whole one person on her buddy list.
And her one buddy wasn’t online.
Tracy sighed.
She was finished checking her e-mail and about to disconnect from the Internet when a message box popped up against the desktop.
Hello.
Tracy looked at the nickname. DreamEyes. It wasn’t her friend. She didn’t recognize the nickname.
Hello, she typed in response. Who are you?
Are you Tracy Dennis?
Tracy’s eyes widened. Little hairs on the back of her neck stood up. A prickling sensation passed over her shoulder blades. Why do you want to know?
There was a short pause before another message popped up. My name is Hallie Sheffield. I’m looking for a girl named Tracy Dennis. She’s related to me.
Her breath hitched. How? she typed quickly.
It seemed like forever before the reply came. She’s my twin.
Everything had happened quickly from that point. It had been at least two weeks after their first meeting that Tracy had found out she was the adopted one. For some strange reason, she had immediately figured that Hallie was the adopted one. Her family life was too stereotypical - too normal - for her to be adopted. But she was . . .
“You awake?”
Tracy sat up. Awake? When was she asleep? She looked around. The living room was darker than it had been before and her muscles were all relaxed. Maybe she had been asleep.
“I’m up,” she said groggily. “How long was I out?”
Hallie shrugged. “A couple hours. I figured you needed it.”
She nodded. “I did,” she agreed. Arms pulled above her head, she stretched and let out a small sigh. “Now what?”
Hallie looked at her critically. “You didn’t forget, did you?” she demanded.
Tracy shook her head. Forget? How could she forget? She had just wished that Hallie had forgotten.
“Good,” Hallie said. She flashed a smile at Tracy. “Let’s get started.”
