CHAPTER 1 – The Twins
On May 17th 1984 in Dallas TX, two beautiful baby girls were born in Saint Worths Hospital. Although these girls were identical twins no one would have guessed how differently their lives would turn out to be. They both were given up for adoption on June 6th, but to two separate families. Both families had incredible love for their newly adopted daughter but Brenda and Asheley would grow up completely different.
CHAPTER 2 - Asheley's Story:
Asheley was adopted by a very caring family, the Robertson's. The Robertson's already had two children of their own; one boy and one girl. Although, Asheley made their little family complete, when she turned two they decided to have one more, a little baby boy. The Robertsons were by no means wealthy, but the got by okay financially. Asheley's parents knew money did not make who their kids would they would become, and the Robertsons lived by that. Both parents worked hard to live in a nice neighborhood and give their kids the things they needed. The parents, Shila and Don, treated all their kids the same, there were no favorites and Asheley was never treated special or different because she was adopted. The Robertson's lived their lives like any normal family going through struggles and hardships just the same as anyone else. Asheley was full of love. Even though she didn't have the cool Adidias on her feet and a Barbie backpack like all the other girls at school she still had just as many friends as everyone else. "She is quite the little miss popularity" her mom would always say.
Growing up Asheley loved soccer. It was her favorite sport. But one day as she came home from her usual day of 6th grade, she noticed the mood in her house had changed. Her sister Abby was locked in her room and her older brother was all puffy eyed sitting in front of the television. She kicked of her shoes dropped her bag and ran to the kitchen to find that her usual snack and mom weren’t there to greet her. It was the day Asheley and her family would have to face that her parents were getting divorced. This was very hard on Asheley and very hard on her brothers and sister. All of the kids wanted someone to blame. Asheley wanted someone to yell at for all the trouble and sadness their family was going through, but her mother and father reassured them that no one did anything wrong that this was for the best. Asheley and Abby cried as they packed their room together.
"Asheley! Why did Dad have to do this to Mom!" Abby said with anger. Asheley did not answer. "Asheley! Its okay to hate dad! I do".
"Abby, shut up!" shouted Asheley. "Dad loves us just as much as Mommy does."
"Well, I know but I don't want to move and if dad would have just loved mom as much as we do this would never ever happened" said Abby. "We are moving away from all your friends! You will never see them again!" she cried in anger.
Even though Asheley was upset and mad with her parents she ignored the hurtful things her sister was saying. She knew that Abby was just upset because they were moving away from their school and all of their friends. The kids stayed with their mom and moved to a different part of town, closer to their grandparents. Every weekend the kids went to their dads, and pretty soon the kids realized that just because their parents had separated didn’t mean that they were any less important to either of them. Sooner than later both, their parents were going out on dates, sometimes meeting the kids before their date would begin.
One Saturday when the kids were leaving their mom for a usual weekend at their dads, he surprised them by taking them all out to the arcade. The kids got excited as they loaded out of the car at his house. As soon as they got inside their dad sat them all down on the coach and said that there was someone he wanted them to meet. Before he could say anymore Abby and Asheley stormed out of the room and ran to their bedroom. Of course, they both knew this day would come but they both defied it. Just as the two girls expected, their dad came after them as they sobbed on their beds.
"I am not going I am calling mom and we are going home" said Asheley.
"Yeah me too" said Abby.
"I know it is kind of soon girls but I already told my friend she was going to meet you and she is really excited to meet my two wonderful little girls" their Dad explained.
"We don’t like her and we don’t want to meet her!" screamed Asheley.
"I raised you better than that!” their dad said loudly in a stern voice. "I already made plans and you two will be respectful."
Their dad left it at that, for the girls didn’t need to hear anymore they knew their dad was serious. That whole night the kids didn't say much and for most of the night there was a lot of tension, but that didn't make Don weary of what he was doing. He knew his kids would someday understand even if for know they refused to cooperate.
The next weekend when Don came to pick up the kids only Nathan and Thomas were waiting for him to pick them up. "Where are your sisters?" Don asked.
"They're out at Grandmas, they are spending the night there," said Nathan.
"Where is your mother!" he said sternly. Don walked through the house and found her reading a book on the back porch. "Why is Asheley and Abby at Sandy’s? This is my weekend Shila."
"They wanted to go to their grandmothers house. They are still a little upset about last weekend."
"Well, they can go to your grandmothers house on your weekend because they will never get over it if we keep catering to what they want. And, you know I am right Shila."
"You’re right but maybe we should just give them some time to get used to it."
"Okay, that is fine but they can get used to it over at my house on my weekend."
"Well, what do you want me to do, they are all ready at my mothers house?"
"You call up your mother and tell her I am on my way to pick them up that is what you do. I will see you Sunday Shila." Don left quickly no letting Shila say anything more. He knew the situation would only get worse if he let the girls avoid him. They were pretty mad when he came to pick them up. But just as Don thought each weekend it got easier and the girls became comfortable with their dad’s new friend and eventually even started to like her. Brenda grew up to respect that her parents were her parents and they were to be respected know matter how upset or mad they make you. Even though this was hard for Asheley, she grew up to be closer to her parents and know that they love her no matter what obstacles her family faced.
CHAPTER 3 - Brenda's Story
Brenda was adopted by the Rastall family. Brenda's parents Jon and Debbie had two
twin little boys who were five years old. The Rastalls had wanted a little girl for some time. Brenda became their pride and joy and they adored her. The Rastalls weren’t the richest but they were considered wealthy in their city. They had a nice home on the upper-class side of town and every summer the Rastalls went on a family vacation, just the five of them. Jon and Debbie vowed that no matter how much money they had they would always give their kids the things they wanted.
Brenda, being the only girl in the family, got a lot of attention. Her twin brothers adored her and her dad loved having daddy’s little girl around. Brenda was loved very much. While growing up Brenda was on a soft ball team. By the time she was in eighth grade she was very talented. She was so good at the sport that even high school coaches where trying to get her to play on their varsity team the next year. At every game her parents were there cheering her on.
Brenda was in eighth grade now and after a usual day at school she ran to the locker room to get ready. This was one of the most exciting games of the season. They were playing their rival school and Brenda wanted to beat them more than any other team out there. Her parents were usually there early but today they were late. The game started and the bleachers were packed but Brenda couldn't find her parents anywhere in the crowd. After the game her friend’s mom came up to her and said "Your mom called me this afternoon and asked if I would take you home after the game."
This was unusual but Brenda smiled and said "okay."
Odd, but this was only the beginning. Her father started working more and more and her parents started showing up to the games by themselves. Sometimes it would only be her mom and other games it would only be her dad. Brenda wasn't used to seeing just one smiling face in the crowd. She was used to the two of them.
Jon and Debbie tried to keep their marital problems away from the kids but pretty soon they both knew they couldn't live with each other anymore. Soon they had to tell the kids. Brenda and her brothers were furious and when they had to move into a new house with their mom. They of course blamed their dad and Brenda refused to see him. When her brothers would leave for dad’s house she would say she was busy. Brenda wasn’t going to let her dad see her, He ruined our family she thought every time he suggested she come over, and Brenda got her way every time. If she didn't want to go see her dad she didn’t have to. Brenda's parents didn’t want to force her to do anything she didn’t want to do. Her dad missed her very much and only saw her on special occasions. Jon was very hurt by his daughter not wanting to see him but he felt what he was doing was in the best interest for Brenda.
Brenda grew up went to high school and rarely saw her dad. She changed and he changed and pretty soon she wasn't close to her dad like she was before. In fact, Jon didn't know his daughter very well anymore at all. He wasn't there before she left for her first high school dance. He wasn't there when she first learned to drive a car. He was only at her softball games. If he was lucky she would come over for some of the holidays. She didn't know it but this experience would stay with Brenda for the rest of her life. It changed her and her whole life. For so long her family revolved around her and she got to make the rules. She was only 13 when her parents divorced and they loved her so much they thought they had to make her feel okay about everything they did. This was something that made Brenda grow up to be self-centered and careless of other’s feelings. Although they didn’t realize it Jon and Debbie had taught their daughter that it was okay to hurt someone’s feelings if you are hurt.
CHAPTER 4 - Reunited
When the girls where twenty five Asheley was out of college and getting ready to be married. Brenda was still going through med school. Asheley wanted to find her twin sister that was separated from her at birth. She wanted to find her before she got married. She found Brenda through a missing person agency and they finally met two weeks before Asheley’s wedding. This was important to Asheley because it made her feel complete.
Brenda was just as excited to see her twin sister. As Brenda flew out to her sisters wedding she got a call from her brothers. "Brenda dad is in the hospital, he had a heart attack and he is doing awful. I think you should come home!"
"No, I cant its Asheleys wedding she will only get married once. This is really important to Asheley and I have got to be there."
"Just hurry home after the wedding, okay Brenda."
Brenda was worried but being in med school she hadn't seen her dad in a couple of years, it would be okay she would go to the wedding and then fly home.
The wedding day finally came and Brenda made sure she was there. The wedding ceremony was beautiful and so was Asheley. At the reception Asheley’s proud father stood up and clinked a fork to his glass. "I want to make a toast. This day came sooner than I expected. It seems like only yesterday I was changing your diapers, teaching you how to ride your bike, and sending you off for your prom. And now here I am giving you away to this fine young man. I want you to know I am proud to give you away! It is hard but I am proud. You have turned out to be such a wonderful young woman. Your mother and I are so lucky to have such a wonderful daughter. I guess I never knew how much my kids could impact my life, but every day that I see your face I thank the Lord for how lucky my life is. Asheley, you have always been there for me and your mom and I want you to know that we are always here for you. I love you so much! Asheley and Jason, I wish you the world!"
As Don gave his speech Brenda’s eyes filled up with tears and she thought of how much she had missed out with her dad. If only I hadn’t been so stubborn. If only somebody would have made me see. I wish I could go back I wish I could tell my dad I am sorry for what I have done because I want to be close to my dad like that. Asheley is really lucky, Brenda thought to herself.
The next morning Brenda got on the first flight home and she rushed to the hospital. When she walked into the room her brothers were sobbing over their dad’s body. Brenda wanted sometime alone with her father. She sat there trying to remember the few memories she had with him. Her eyes were swollen with tears and she cried. She cried hard. Brenda picked up his cold pale hand and put it in hers. "Dad I want you to know that I love you, and that I am so sorry. I really missed out on being with you. You will never know how much I regret it. If I could take it back, I would have spent every day that I could with you. I wish I knew you more! Why didn't you make me see you? I would have gotten over my anger. I was just a little girl I didn't know what I was doing. I am sorry, Dad. I am sorry. I am so sorry."
