Previously…

Caryn began to cry; Caryn Rlizabeth O’Connor; the former Michael Phillip Bisceglia of Baltimore, Maryland.

She felt right.

Goodnight my angel, time to close your eyes
And save these questions for another day
I think I know what you've been asking me
I think you know what I've been trying to say.

Bayhealth Hospital, Dover, Delaware, that evening.

“Just a precaution, Mrs. O’Connor,” Dr. Barsbay said as she touched Angela O’Connor’s arm.

“Since your daughter lost consciousness, it’s likely she has a concussion. We’ll keep her overnight just to be safe. The bruise looks bad, but all the films show everything is intact and there are no symptoms other than a very nasty headache.”

Jason O’Connor walked up and handed Angela a coffee before turning to Dr. Barsbay.

“Sounds like a plan,” he said with a nod.

“After we get something for dinner, we’ll be back to say goodnight. We’ll grab a room at the Day’s Inn and be back first thing tomorrow.” Jason said as he looked over at Caryn’s room. He shook Dr. Barsbay’s hand and strode over to the doorway and peeked in.

“Hey, Kitten. Your Mom and I are going to grab a bite to eat. We’ll be back in a bit before heading over to the hotel.”

“What?” Caryn mouthed as the man smiled at her.

“Kitten?” Most of the swirling confusion had abated, but still left her with a lot of questions. She stared at the kind stranger and shook her head, but winced at the pain.

“Caryn?” Angela said as she nudged past Jason and up to the bed.

“We’ll be back as soon as we can as we can, sweetie. Just down to the cafeteria and back.” Angela looked at her daughter and choked back a sob.

“When they called me at work, I…I…” She leaned over and kissed Caryn on the forehead.

“Momma…” Caryn wanted to speak. Something deep inside, huddled almost safely next to Mickey’s heart, caused her to remember.

“Momma?” Caryn said, even as Mickey tried to recall what Jenn had told him about the O’Connors… the sister who died. Jenn had told Mickey about Lisa and how devastating her death had been. Mickey began to weep for the heartache she…the heartache Caryn felt.

“I’m so sorry, Momma.” Mickey and Caryn wept; both feeling guilty for two entirely undeserved reasons. Caryn struggled with being the twin who didn’t die in the car accident. And Mickey cried because Caryn did die, leaving behind the pretender.

“Shhh….Shhh….” Jason said softly to mother and daughter.

“We’ll be alright,” Jason said as he buried his face in Angela’s shoulder; weeping almost as much in relief as in loss. Angela reached back and touched his face.

“I…I know, babe. We will be alright.” Angela said. She turned he attention to Caryn once again.

“Just remember, sweetie? Is breá liom tú an oiread sin!.” She caught herself and continued. “Daddy and I love you so much!”

Jason joined them and grabbed Caryn’s hand. He smiled and blinked back his own relieved tears before urging Angela toward the door.

“Right back in a few,” he said, and with that they walked out.

A few minutes later a young lady in light grey scrubs walked in and turned the overhead lights off; leavin Caryn bathed only in the glow of the bedside lamp.

"Caryn? I’m Martie,” she said as she pointed to the whiteboard on the wall. Then she shook her head, smiling. “I’m sorry; you probably can’t even see the whiteboard. Martie Lloyd — your nurse.”

“Where…where am I?” Caryn asked. As if the last few hours of tests and questions and loud overhead announcements and sounds were a dream.

“Bayhealth Hospital, honey. You got a nasty bonk on the head. They tell me you girls won the game. Too bad for our Hens,” Martie said. Caryn looked at her in question.

“Oh, sorry. Delaware - the team - Blue Hens. You beat our girls this morning.” Martie said as she replaced Caryn’s icepack.

“Call for anything, okay? You can count on me,” Martie said as she retreated toward the door and in a second was gone.

Caryn turned her head slightly and breathed out a sigh. What did her Mom say? Her Mom?

“Is breá liom tú an oiread sin.” Caryn mouthed the words before saying, "I love you so much?" In a moment, things seemed to shift and change. The room spun only a wee bit as Caryn was transported to another time and place.

I promised I would never leave you
Then you should always know
Wherever you may go, no matter where you are
I never will be far away

Ascension Hospital, Baltimore, August 16, 2019…

Katie Bisceglia lay almost too quietly in the bed; a frustrating reminder of what was to come. She looked up to find Mickey hovering almost over her. She weakly raised her hand and beckoned him closer. He gasped.

“Mommy? If I could, I’d take away all your pain.” As soon as Mickey spoke the words, he felt foolish, as if wanting to spare her was some childish wish.

“Baby? It’s alright. You’ll see. Everything will be alright.” Katie patted his face. He smiled as best he could. The doctor had cautioned him not to leave; the end was at hand. He looked over at the door, almost expecting his father to walk in.

“It’s going to be alright,” Katie repeated.

“Alright?” Why did that sound so familiar? What could ever be right about losing his Mom?

“I’ll be going, but I will never be far from you,” Katie – Katherine O’Brien Bisceglia - said as she touched Mickey’s chest.

“You can count on me,” she said as tears flowed freely.

“Just remember, sweetie. Is breá liom tú an oiread sin!.” Katie smiled broadly and in the next instant she was gone. Mickey fell upon the bed and sobbed. And two gentle souls lifted Katie up and away.

And in an instant later…

“O’Brien, Katherine?” The young lady spoke Katie’s name. As she urged Katie forward, an older woman touched her arm.

“You’re home, Miss O’Brien. And yes, Katherine. Your child will be alright,” Mrs. Jordan said with a broad, welcoming smile.

The present…In Caryn’s room…

Caryn stared at the ceiling; awash in conflicting emotions. She had a mother and a father. A mother and a father who loved her? What right did she have to steal this poor girl’s life? Why was she spared? Hadn’t this family already lost too much?

How could she ever hope to take the place of a daughter so treasured by these new people who now looked to her? Two starngers who loved her. Mickey felt so overwhelmed that he sobbed; feeling unworthy and selfish.

But in the midst of it all, one thought came back to him. To her. To Caryn O’Connor.

Everything would be alright.

Meanwhile, at the cafeteria, Bayhealth Hospital…

Jenn was sitting with Niecy Rodriguez and Donna Velasquez, awaiting more word of Caryn’s condition. She stood up to get something to drink when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around to find her coaches, Linda Klimek and Marie Esposito, almost huddled together; their faces etched with sadness.

“It’s okay, Coach. Mrs. O’Connor said Caryn probably has a concussion and…” Jenn turned away, looking for Angela O’Connor. She felt a gentle touch on her on her arm.

“Jenn?” Linda turned to Marie before continuing.

“Your Mom is going to meet us back at the hotel.”

“Why is Mommy coming here? Sure, I was worried, but Caryn is going to be okay.” Jenn watch the two women face each other.

“What? What’s wrong?” Jenn said it loud enough that Niecy got up from the table and stood next to her.

“Jenn…I’m so sorry… Yesterday afternoon.” Linda Klimek bit her lip and stammered again.

“I’m so sorry, Jenn.” She shook her head as the words refused to come. That idea that if we don’t say something, it can’t possibly be true. Coach Esposito spoke the words that Linda could not.

“Jenn? Honey? Mickey was in an accident.” Even at that, Marie could not speak the words that everyone knew would follow. Jenn looked at her and began to shake.

“No!” She didn’t scream but just said it; “No!” One word. Simple and entirely futile as Jennifer Picone fell into Linda’s arms and sobbed.

And like a boat out on the ocean
I'm rocking you to sleep
The water's dark and deep, inside this ancient heart
You'll always be a part of me

Once again on another plain of existence in another moment in time…

“O’Connor, Caryn Elizabeth,” the young lady with the iPad spoke. Mrs. Jordan held up her hand.

“One moment? Caryn? You were so happy when you arrived but now you seem so sad.”

“I know, Ma’am. But I am happy. You know?” Caryn tilted her head in question. Mrs. Jordan smiled; an all-knowing and reassuring grin. Caryn continued.

“The nice lady told me about Mickey.” She shrugged her shoulders; waiting for an explanation. Mrs. Jordan stared at Ms. Gunderson, but nodded slightly.

“Were you worried about him? He’s quite alright.” She stared at Ms. Gunderson again as if to say, “You told her everything?” Ms. Gunderson nodded sheepishly.

Caryn shook her head. “Oh no, Ma’am. I know you folks know what you’re doing. I’m just worried about Jenn. I mean with Mickey…you know…being me?” Caryn pouted only a bit. Mrs. Jordan’s right eyebrow arched ever so slightly.

“Yes, Miss O’Connor?”

“Can…can I? I mean can Mickey and Jenn still get married? I never told her, and god knows I would never have come between them, but…”

“You loved her? You love her still.” Mrs. Jordan did not want to prolong the remainder of Caryn’s disappointment. She stepped closer and pulled the girl into a motherly hug.

‘Yes. I just…I just want her to be happy, Ma’am. She will be happy, won’t she? She just has to be happy.. Please? Let her be happy?” She sobbed in Mrs. Jordan’s arms. It would be the very last time Caryn Elizabeth O'Connor would be sad as Mrs. Jordan said finally,

“Yes, Caryn. Everything will be alright.”

“Mrs. Jordan?” The young lady with the iPad spoke.

“Yes, Lisa?” Mrs. Jordan answered and gave permission all in one moment. The girl stepped close and drew Caryn into a hug. She surprised everyone and kissed her finger; touching it to Caryn's lips. A simple if familiar gesture known only by two little girls from not too long ago.

“Welcome home, sis,” Lisa Marie O'Connor said as she continued to hug her twin!

Someday we'll all be gone
But lullabies go on and on
They never die
That's how you and I will be.

To be continued…

Goodnight My Angel
Words and Music by Billy Joel
As sung by Celtic Woman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TgRZ2Y7iwk