In the closet were the pretty short skirts that Maria and I wore as sisters. Unfortunately, I couldn't wear them because of my amputation. On the bedside table was a family photo just like Maria's. The difference was, I wasn't in it.
And there's the pile of birthday gifts from every year on my desk. Each one was picked out for me by John and Maria. But none of them were my favorite things.
I still remember what they said when they excitedly presented the gifts to me, "We haven't known what you like all these years, but you two are like sisters, so you should like the same things."
I smiled, stroking a pile of unopened astronomy books. At sixteen, I said I wanted to be the world's best painter. John went to great lengths to get me two rare, masterpiece paintings.
After the college entrance exam results came out, knowing my academic scores were secure enough for a top art school, he even commissioned me to have the same art supplies as those of famous painters.