Tears welled in my eyes, my body starting to shake. "Why didn't you tell me sooner..?"

"The same reason why your mother kept her cancer from you..."

I stood then, folding my arms over my chest. "I can't believe it... I can't believe she would do that... I can't believe you waited this long to tell me..."

   She stood, resting a hand on my shoulder. "I'm sorry, Carla... I know I should've told you sooner... But, I didn't want to cause you any more pain..."

   I turned my head to her. "Why tell me now?"

   She averted my gaze. "Because... After everything that's happened... You deserved to know..."

   I spun on her. "So, this was all just to make you feel better?"

   A look of shock crossed her features. "Carla... It's not like that..."

   I shook my head. "I... I just need some time alone..."

   I spun on my heal then, my feet carrying me back home...

   Aileen did as I requested, leaving me to my thoughts for the rest of the night. To be honest, I wasn't actually mad at her. But, I needed to figure things out. My sister was going to pull the plug and she clearly had no intention of telling me that. Aileen intervened, but she still kept the information from me as well. Just like with my mother, no one planned on telling me...

   I woke up early the next morning, my mind still racing. Emily would be here in a matter of minutes, maybe she could help me understand what all this meant. What I should do about it.

   "Hey, how're you doing today?" Emily asked as I closed the door behind her.

   "My sister was gonna pull the plug on me while I was in the coma and the woman I've been seeing knew about it and neither one of them felt the need to tell me until now."

   Emily froze in place, raising her eyebrows. "Wow... That's a lot to register... When did you start seeing this woman..?"

   Was that jealousy?

   I sat down at the table, digging my nail into the tabletop. "It's a recent thing... But, I felt really connected to her. She made me feel comfortable and safe... I thought I could trust her..."

   Emily sat down in front of me. "What about your sister..? How do you feel about that?"

   I shook my head. "I... Don't really know... I'm upset... But, can I really blame her? She had to watch our mother whither away to nothing and was given the same choice... Maybe she was just doing what she thought was right..."

   "Are you going to talk to her about it?"

   "Do you think I should?"

   Emily thought for a second. "This is something you're going to have to decide on your own. I'd be more than happy to moderate the discussion, if you chose to have it. But, I can't decide for you."

   I dug my nail deeper, the familiar pain radiating through my fingertip. "I understand... I guess I'll know what to do when the moment arrives..."

   Eventually, the conversation drifted to Aileen and my trip outside the house yesterday.

   "How'd you do around all those people?" Emily asked.

   "Pretty well, I think... Aileen was a big help..." I replied.

   Emily averted my gaze at the mentioning of Aileens name. "And this 'Aileen' is the woman you've been seeing?"

   I just nodded.

   Emily nodded back. "What's she like..?"

   I smiled a little at the thought of her. "Like no one you've ever met... She's beautiful, caring... Selfless... At this point, I don't know what I'd do without her..."

   "She sounds really good for you..."

   "I think she is..." I replied, my heart torn.

   "Then, maybe you should just forgive and forget... She was obviously put in a tough spot. She was given information that could cause a rift between you and your sister... Can you really stay mad at her for waiting so long to tell you..?"

   I let out a sigh. "No... It shouldn't have been her responsibility to begin with... She was given a tough choice and sometimes our brains make choices. Whether they're right or wrong isn't always up to us..."

   Emily smiled a little. "That's an interesting way to look at it..."

   I smiled lightly back. "Well, someone really important to me told me that and I think they were right..."

   Aileen appeared behind Emily then, a smile of her own forming. "Thank you." She mouthed.

   I gave her a discreet nod.

   After our session, I saw Emily out, closing the door behind her.

   My hands drifted up to the many locks on the door. But, I hesitated. My hand freezing in place before deciding just to lock the handle.

   "Looks like you're making progress." Aileen said from behind me.

   I turned to her, looking up into her eyes. "I wouldn't have been able to without you... I'm sorry for blowing up at you..."

   Aileen wrapped me in a tight hug. "Water under the bridge, kid... I'm sorry I waited so long to tell you..."

   I stayed wrapped in her arms, looking up into her eyes. "I forgive you..."

   We were quiet for a minute before she leaned down, capturing my lips with hers.

   I rested my forehead against hers afterwards. "So... Do you still think I'm making the wrong choice by choosing you..?"

   Aileen sighed. "Yes... But, I think I may have a way around it..."

   I took a step back, studying her. "What do you mean?"

   She paced around the kitchen then, deep in thought. "What if I made you an offer..?"

   My heart froze for just a second. "Wh-what kind of offer..?"

   "You said it yourself, the opportunity to help people like yourself sounded amazing..."

   "Right... And?"

   She finally stopped pacing, looking to me. "What if I could give you that opportunity? What if I could make you an angel..?"

   My mouth hung open, my mind swirling. "I... But... What about Michelle...?"

   Aileen stood in front of me then. "Carla... That decision we were talking about... Michelle hasn't made it yet..."

   "What do you mean..?"

   "You keep having that dream because... You're still in your coma... This, what we're living in right now... It's all made up... It's a test... If you would've chosen Emily, you would've woken up... But..."

   I looked down. "I chose you..."

   "Every client of mine is given a choice... And, if they make the wrong one, they don't get a second chance... But, I see something in you... You're caring and selfless... The perfect making for a guardian angel..."

   I leaned against the counter for support, to overwhelmed to answer.

   "The choice is yours, Carla..."

   My whole life flashed before my eyes. A life wasted. A life spent alone. I was going nowhere. I had no purpose. No reason for living. But, if I decided to become an angel, I'd have purpose. I could help people. I could make the world a better place. All I had to do was say yes.

   "Aileen... If I say yes... I only have one request..." I said shakily.

   She took my hands. "Anything, just name it."

   "I want to talk to Michelle one last time..."