Chapter 7
by 
fantaghiro
What's next?
We lie. There's been enough pain from this. I want to spare them at least.
You weren't happy with it but ultimately accepted Allison's choice. After all, she was the one who would really have to live with the lie. You resigned yourself to that decision, but hoped Allison wouldn't regret it.
Shortly thereafter Allison is released and you all go back to your house. You use the ride home to talk with Allison about the future.
"I've been giving it some thought," she said. "I've learned up a lot about real estate from mom" (both her mother and your's were realtors) "so I think that if I take some time to study up, I can pick up your mom's job. The money the hospital gave us should give us some breathing room while I ease into it. Maybe later I can go 'back' to college and get a degree that I want. But that will be awhile, if ever. I think I'll need awhile to get used to all this."
You nodded, surprised by her clear thinking. Allison had always been a problem solver, and she was obviously putting her mind to use on this.
...
The next few weeks went by and you all settled into a routine. Allison quickly picked up on the details of your mother's life, doing a remarkable masquerade. Tabitha and David easily accepted the 'head injury' excuse for any lapses in memory or out-of-character behavior. You had to get used to calling her mom, but it didn't take much effort. Although she was different in some ways - friendlier to you, less judgemental, and less strict - she appeared and mostly acted like your mother. Given her new body and the constraints of the masquerade, you did find it difficult to 'read' Allison like you used to. You really couldn't guess what she was thinking or feeling anymore but you could never read your mom either, so that fit perfectly.
So it took you far longer than it should have to notice when Allison VERY subtly began
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