A Second Chance

Colleen slowly stepped out of the crisp, white Prius, grass folding around her thong sandals and brushing their morning dew off against the calloused underside of her feet. No one was outside tending their lawns, kids weren’t playing in yards or the street. She didn’t even hear a single dog bark. The world was colorful, but it reminded her of her hospital room. It was clean, it was quiet, it had a view, and she had a chaperone.

Dana, her sister, locked the car door with a click of the button on her keys. “Is it not the most wonderful day?”

“Sure thing.” Colleen would rather the world had felt alive, but to her it just felt like a movie set. Even the wind that blew the smells of spring against her colorless cheeks felt somehow artificial.

“The rest of the family is at work or in school, but they’ll be home by five. Do you want some lunch?” Dana opened the door to her small Cape Cod style house. The eaves were extended into rooms and a carport had been added on between the garage and the end of their driveway. Dana hadn’t parked there though.

“Whatever you have on hand is fine.” Colleen followed her sister listlessly through the front door and sat down at the table. There was a sheet of thick plastic covering the paisley table cloth from end to end.

“I’ll just be in the other room. Please don’t try anything. We love you.”