Facing The Truth


Turn Around





They sat in the middle of the floor in silence. The only noise was the faint tapping of a branch on Yvonne's bedroom window.
"So, you're really going?" Yvonne finally said.
"Yeah. Mum says the hospitals in California are better, so we have to go." Imogen mumbled. She was fiddeling with a piece off loose carpet.
"C'mon Imogen, you sister is going to get better." Yvonne said, putting her hand on her best friend's shoulder.
"Whatever." She whispered. Imogen coughed then looked up at her friend. "Well, I'll write to you."
"Me too." Yvonne managed a sad grin.
"Well see ya." A fake smile crawled up Imogen's cheeks, then she walked out the door.
Yvonne sighed. She wondered by the time Imogen got back if she would still have a younger sister.


The plane softly touched down at California airport. Imogen stuffed her walkman in her back pack and followed her parents out of the plane, through a maze of tunnels and finally arrived at customs. They got through quickly and their luggage also came through quickly. The walked out two sliding doors and into the arrivals hall. There were families renunited, businessmen meeting colegues, it was extremely busy.
"Adreanna? You ok?" Imogen said, taking her pale sisters hand.
"Yeah, I guess." She croaked.
"We're nearly at the exit." Their dad confermed.
He was right. In front of them were two large glass doors. They opened and they were welcomed by a rush of hot air.
"Taxi!" Their dad called. A cab stopped and they all got in.
"Beugrove Hotel please." He said to the driver.
"Sure thing." The driver growled and started up the car.
Twenty minutes later the taxi pulled up outside a large white building with tinted windows.
"This is it." The taxi driver said. He snatched the money Imogen's dad, Carl, handed over and drove off quickly.Imogen hoped not all Californians would be like that.
"Imogen?" A soft voice said, coming from the south.
"Yeah Adreanna?" Imogen replied, squatting down so she was the same height as her sister.
"Can you carry me? I'm tired."
"Sure sweetie." Imogen picked up her sister, startled at hoe light she was, and sat her on her hip. Adreanna rested her head on Imogen's shoulder and fell asleep.
After checking in they came to their two ajoined rooms. Imogen carried her sister into the second room and lay her gently down on the bed.
Imogen looked around the roo. The walls were cream with pale green trimmings. There was a pale green sofa and two single bed with pale green bed spreads. It was a plain room but it would do, just as long as Adreanna got better.
She walked over to the window and looked out, shielding her eyes from the bright sun. Tree lined streets and a park, a few tall buildings and a carpark. It was an ok view.
Imogen sighed. Tired from the flight she shut the curtains and kissed her sister. Then lay down on the other bed. She shut her heavy eye lids and fell asleep.