"Maybe not," she said, still looking at me with
some suspicion. "Drink," she commanded, and I did
what she said even though it didn't taste great, I felt it
bubble in my stomach for a moment and then I did
feel a soothing sensation.
"Thank you," I said. I turned with Beau to look
at the doorway when we heard the footsteps coming
down the hall. A moment later, Gisselle Dumas
appeared, dressed in a beautiful red, bare shoulder
satin gown with her long red hair brushed until it shone. It was about as long as mine. She wore dangling diamond earrings and a matching diamond
necklace set in gold.
"Beau," she began, "why are you late and
what's this about a surprise guest?" she demanded.
She whirled to confront me, putting her fists on her
hips before she turned in my direction. Even though I
knew what to expect, the reality of seeing my face on
someone else took my breath away. Gisselle Dumas
gasped and brought her hand to her throat.
Fifteen years and some months after the day we
were born, we met again.
11
Just Like Cinderella
.
Who is she?" Gisselle demanded, her eyes
quickly moving from wide orbs of amazement to
narrow slits of suspicion.
"Anyone can see she's your twin sister," Beau
replied. "Her name is Ruby."
Gisselle grimaced a
nd shook her head. "What sort of a practical joke are you playing