The story continues.

Comments are… well, you know the drill. : )

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After a few minutes, my crying subsided. I used a few tissues from the cleanex box that Emily had beside the couch, to wipe my tears and blow my nose.

“Don’t worry,” said Emily, as she hugged me once again. “You won’t end up like her. You have her body, and her memories, but you are NOT her.”

I felt reassured. I would never want to be like Lindsay. Every memory of hers that I had reviewed had some unpleasant undertone. She screwed people (figuratively and literally), all for her own gain. I couldn’t find one instance of her helping someone, unless she was going to benefit from it in some way. Pitiful. Oh, I really had my work cut out for me, trying to clean up her mess. No time like the present, I suppose.

I disentangled myself from my therapist’s arms, and got up. “Listen, thanks, Em. I do need to get going, though. I appreciate your help and support. Even if you were a bit… sneaky about some things. I know you had my best interests at heart.”

“You’re welcome,” she replied. “I’m sorry that you have this unexpected issue to deal with. Having been pregnant twice now, I can offer you support and advice on the subject. And should you decide to raise your baby, I can recommend some people to help you with that, too. I know you don’t think that is an option now, but don’t be surprised if you change your mind. Anyways, keep in touch. My door is always open to you.”

I grasped her hands with mine for a moment, and nodded. “Thanks, again.” And with that, I turned and headed back to the basement, and my car, and the rest of my (new) life.

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I walked back into my apartment and headed for the kitchen. After getting the kettle boiling, I made a cup of herbal tea, and made my way into the living room. I relaxed in front of the television for a while, mentally making up a plan of action. I was due back to work Sunday afternoon, and noted who would be working that night. There was Tracy, Lucy and Alisha. The former two were fairly confident women, so they shrugged off most of what Lindsay had said. Poor Alisha, though! She was a shy bookworm type, a bit overweight, and plain looking on a good day. Oh, the teasing that she had put up with was horrendous. I’m sure she had been in tears more than a few times because of what had been said to her. I felt myself blushing, embarrassed by it. I not only felt it necessary to apologize, but to make restitution to her in some way or another. Sigh.

Then there was ‘my’ family. My mother and father were pretty much fed up with what they had seen their daughter do and say. Lindsay was their only child, and spoiling her had not helped at all. They let her set her own rules, because they didn’t want to ‘oppress’ their little girl. And look at what their reward was for that. Anyways, time to begin setting things straight. I picked up the phone, and dialed their number. When I heard a gruff “Hello?” I had to smile. I felt a surge of love towards the man.

“Hello, daddy? How are you?…”

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Supper went well with ‘my’ parents. I told them how very sorry I was for being such an ungrateful little snot. When my father asked what brought this on, and did I think I was going to get the promised Mustang any sooner, I shook my head.

“No, daddy. I know you will stick to your guns on this. I would expect nothing less. And as for what brought this on, you might say I had a change of perspective. I’ve talked to a few people, Emily being one of them, and let’s just say that I’ve come to see the error of my ways. No doubt working at the Gem has helped, as you hoped it would.” I could see him smile at that. And really, it wasn’t really a fabrication. Had she not worked there, I would have not taken over her life, and this conversation would not be happening.

My mother, quite a striking woman in her mid forties, nodded. “I told you to have faith, dear. I knew it was a good idea to send Lindsay to mingle with the ‘common’ people.” I looked over at her, a bit aghast, but her grin told me she was joking. Phew!

She looked me over, and asked “Something looks different about you, dear. You look… much healthier than last time. Have you been tanning? Remember what I said about that — small doses only.”

“No, mother.” I replied. “Well, I might be getting a bit more sun, but mainly I am just eating more healthy foods and working out. Just like you told me to.”

"Well, it is good to hear that you are finally listening to your dear old mother. You know how us ancient ones are so wise."

I bowed to her, and struggling to keep from giggling, said, "Yes, revered grandmother. You are a river of knowledge in the desert of stupidity." She laughed at my irreverence.

I stayed for another hour or so after an excellent meal, catching up on the latest news about the clan, before leaving. I felt good about making progress in my relationship with them. I knew that they didn’t trust me 100%, but it was a very good start.

A stray thought crossed my mind on the drive home. “Wonder how they would feel about being grandparents?”

I shook my head, and wondered where that came from.

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My start of my shift at the Gem the next night was probably one that will go down in its recent history as one of the more memorable nights there. Frank, the manager, looked absolutely shocked to see me at work 15 minutes early, and already in my uniform. He was even more surprised when I asked if he would call a very brief staff meeting. “Five minutes at most, I promise. Please?” He nodded his assent, and went to gather up the staff in the dining room.

As each person came in, I quickly ran through the list of offenses Lindsay had visited upon them. It would be unlikely that any of them would offer immediate forgiveness, but I had to try. When the last person had filed in and sat down, Frank told them that I had called the meeting. He looked over to me, and said “Please proceed, Lindsay.”

I stood up, and looked at each person there. Their expressions ranged from indifference to hostility. “You are no doubt wondering why I asked to speak to you. You might be hoping that I am going to quit, and I wouldn’t blame you for that.” That got their attention. The Great Lindsay, engaging in self deprecating humour?

“Anyways, I am here to ask each and every one of you to forgive me for all the mean things that I have done and said. I doubt that I have been nice to any of you at any time, but that is about to change. I realize that words alone will not make things better. I intend to let my actions speak for me." I paused, and then added, “Thank you for listening to me.”

I sat down, feeling a bit embarrassed. Public speaking was not my forte. I looked around at my coworkers, and they all had the same expression — total amazement. They looked at each other, stunned. Then Lucy said, “I don’t know who you are, or what you have done with Lindsay. However, you are more than welcome to work here.”

I couldn’t help but smile as the staff laughed at her wisecrack. “Thank you for the welcome, Lucy. May I prove worthy of it.”

“Okay, folks — party’s over." announced Frank "Let’s get the Gem ready for another evening.”

We all got up, and got to work.

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I knew that ‘Lindsay’ wouldn’t have ever worked as hard as I did that night. It wasn’t that I was trying to go overboard — I was simply doing the job that she was supposed to be doing all along. The staff gave me surprised looks when I set up a table or two, or did some other task I was not asked to do. A few comments were muttered when they thought I was out of earshot. “Do you think she got laid?” and “Is she in love?” and “Was she hit over the head?” were just a few of the things said. I didn’t let it bother me — Lindsay had it coming, after all.

The customers were also surprised. Where Lindsay was rather uncaring and uncommunicative (except to good looking, rich guys, of course), I was friendly and helpful. A smile and a few kind words always go a long way, no matter what business you are in. It is especially true in the hospitality industry.

What made me feel really good was when Alisha briefly sat down with me during a break. She smiled and said “Thank you. I always knew there was a good person beneath all that meanness.” With that, she was gone.

My shift flew by amazingly fast. I had just seated the last group of customers for the night when I heard the door chime. I walked back to the front of the restaurant. I saw a rather handsome man who looked rather familiar. He was very handsome, and well built, and had amazing steel blue eyes. I set my brain into search mode.

“Good evening. Welcome to the Oriental Gem. How may…” I broke off when I recognized him.

He was the father of the child I was now carrying.

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