"My father?" you asked, not understanding the relevance. "Mom & dad divorced over a year ago ... but why does that matter? What do you mean 'tell him the truth'?"
Dr. Saunders gave a deep sigh. "It's rather complicated, Timothy. I could tell you that if word of this transplant got out, Allison's life - that of your whole family - would be a neverending parade of media attention. That you would be in an uncomfortable spotlight for years without any hope for a normal life. That would be the truth. And the thought of that convinced Allison's parents, your siblings and your aunt Joan." He looked you in the eyes. "But in all honesty, there's another side to this. The surgery Dr. Kerry performed to save your girlfriend's life was unsanctioned. It this went public, things could go very badly for him and the hospital. Allison would also be a subject of study, no chance to pursue a private life."
"Okay..." you say, starting to grasp the situation. "So we're supposed to keep this secrect? How?"
The doctor looked remorseful. "The families have agreed - Allison must assume the life of Jennifer Connors, publicly pretending to be your mother."
The pieces of the conversation fell into place. He wanted Allison to become your mom! And her parents and Aunt Joan agreed to it! You started to breathe rapidly and the room began to spin. Everything became dim and went black.
When you awoke, you were back lying in your hospital bed. Everything was groggy for a while but you slowly opened your eyes and peered around the room. "He's awake" you heard a woman's voice say, and turned to see your Aunt Joan. Standing by her were Tony and Linda, Allison's parents.
"Tim...Tim..." you aunt called out.
"Wuh...what happened?" you ask, fighting through the fog.
"You had a big shock, Tim," Tony answered. "Do you remember?"
You thought for a moment. "Allison! The accident....the operation!" you gasped, recalling your conversation with the doctor. "Was that real?"
"Yes, it was. Jennifer...your mom...is gone," Joan said, her eyes glistening with tears. "And poor Allison..."
"How is she? What's happened?" you ask panicked, lifting yourself up.
"Easy there, buddy," Tony said. "Allison is fine...considering everything. And she's awake and wants to see you."
You let him help you out of the bed. "Is it true?" you ask as you get up. "You all signed some kind of waiver or contract saying that Allison is going to take my mom's place?"
Linda looked at you with a sad expression. "No one is ever going to take your mother's place, Tim. But yes, we did agree that Allison will have to pretend to be Jennifer."
"But how can you do that?" you asked plaintively, looking each of them in the face. "She'll be giving up her life..."
"Tim!" Joan said firmly. "I know this is hard for you. But it's not easy for Tony and Linda either. While the doctors did manage to save Allison, in a sense they are both giving up their daughter. And once she got over the initial shock of discovering what had happened, Allison immediately grasped the situation and agreed with the doctors."
"Huh?" you asked, at a loss for words.
Linda looked heartbroken. "Allie was always quick to pick up on things. She figured out the reprecussions of going public with this as soon as we mentioned the waiver." She sobbed "my little girl..."
Tony put his arm around her. "It's okay, love. We talked about this. We are NOT losing her. No matter what, she'll still be a part of our lives. And she'll need our help to ajust... and your help, too, Tim," he added, turning toward you.
"My help?" you asked.
"Yes," he continued. "Linda and I care for you, Tim, almost like you're our own son. Heck, I'm not blind. In a few years you would have been our son-in-law. I know you just lost your mom and we want to help - but Allie will need your help too. She's jumping from the life of a high-school senior to a middle-aged mother. As someone who loves her, she'll need you now more than ever."
His appeal to your love for Allison and sense of obligation had an effect. You pushed through your confusion and despair. "I...I'll do whatever I have to for her, sir" you promised.
"Good," he said approvingly. "I knew you had it in you. You're a good guy, Tim - you have more strength than you realize. Now let's go see Allison."
You all walked down the hall and followed them into another room. Inside you saw what looked like your mother sitting up in bed looking through a magazine while a nurse examines her vitals. You are taken aback for a second until you realize who this is.
"Allie...I mean 'Jennifer'," Joan called out. "Look who's here!"
Allison turned toward the day and smiled brightly when she saw you. "Tim!" she said.
"Uh, hey," you answered awkwardly. Joan glanced at you, then said to the nurse "Can we give them a few minutes alone?"
"Certainly," she responded, "I just finished up." She gathered her things and left. The other adults briefly greeted Allison and then followed, leaving the two of you alone.
At first you weren't sure how to react. You struggled to resolve the strange puzzle of your girlfriend in your mother's body. Putting aside your confusion for the moment, you walked over to the bed and gave her a hug. "I'm so glad you're alright," you told her.
As the two of you talk...
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