You sat on the couch playing xbox, your gaze continually going to your 'new' sister sprawled out on the floor with her attention solidly on the game. It had been 3 weeks since Randall had been sent home from the hospital to live with you. The adjustment was hard at first. Things were tense with none of you sure how to act around each other.
The breakthrough came after the the final conversation with Randall's parents. They horrified your parents when they completely disavowed him, claiming that this 'abomination is not out son!' Still, you noted with disgust, that didn't prevent them from signing the non-disclosure agreement and accepting the hospital's money.
That had been the final straw, shattering Randall's normally easy-going demeanor. He broke down in tears, the shock of the transformation and his parent's abandonment tore him apart. The sight of 'Tabitha' so completely distraught touched your parents - your mom pushed aside her confusion and sorrow over Tabitha's death and just held Randall, comforting him. That night was very cathartic with all of you coming together as a family.
"You've been more of a mom to me than Alice ever was!" Randall proclaimed to your mother. From that point on things were more relaxed. Randall quickly got into the habit of calling your parents 'mom and dad'. It was a little weirder for you to get used to calling him 'Tabitha', but Randall insisted. "I know it's weird, dude, but we've got to get used to it anyway. And it'll be alot easier for the folks - everytime you call me 'Randall' it just reminds mom about everything. I owe them alot - and since I'm stuck this way - in Tabby's body and having to pretend to be her - I might as well be a daughter for our parents."
Randall had a point but you felt there was more to it than that. Perhaps in addition to everything else Randall was going through, he felt guilty for taking over your sister's life? That to make things right he had to be Tabitha, not Randall, even (or especially) at home?
Regardless of what he might be thinking and feeling, you wanted to help your best friend. It was just difficult for you to reconcile the two people - the mind of your closest friend in the world with the body of your sister. You tried to call him 'Randall' and treat him like your friend when your parents (or other people) weren't around. And when you were lounging around playing xbox and cracking jokes like you used to with him, you could almost see past the body to still connect with your best friend. But those moments were all too rare.
All too often - despite your best attempts - you fell into a routine of treating him like your sister Tabitha. That was exacerbated by the way he ...
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