How I Found My Sister, Pt. 5

I wrote over and over again. So many different drafts. Finally, I just relaxed. I thought about what I wanted to say. And I typed.

TO:marsharolls@xxxxxxxxx.com                                                             

FROM:jimmyaquino@xxxxxxxxx.com

SUBJECT: in search of...

DATE: Sunday, May 6, 2001

"Marsha                                                         

I'm not sure if you are the Marsha I'm looking for. My name is Jimmy Aquino. I'm searching for Marsha Jean Rolls, born 7/2/76 at Portsmouth Naval Hospital. Mother's name is Valerie Rolls, I believe. This may be a little jarring for you if you are the one I seek. I found out a few years back that I have a half sister. You. I had tried to search for years but had the wrong last name. Recently, my father, Marcial Aquino, came back from the Philippines and I got the correct information. I really would like it if we could be in touch. I understand if this is something you don't want to discuss or deal with. For the record, I don't speak to him much. I saw him for the first time in 5 years just recently and hadn't seen him in 8 years prior to that. When he told me about you about 5 years ago, he reminded me of a trip we took when I was younger and we visited you. At the time, I think I was 11 or 12. My older brother, Bobby, knew and kept in touch with you. I was not old enough to deal, or so it was thought. I am now. I am very angry that I wasn't told about you but am excited to find that I have a sister. As I said, I understand if this is difficult for you. If you could please reply to let me know something, that would be great. I hope all is well with you. If for some reason this is not the Marsha I'm looking for, please disregard and accept my apology. Also, please reply and let me know if you're not her. Thanks. I hope to hear from you soon. Take care.

Peace and Love

JIMMY AQUINO

p.s. I'm not exactly sure what to say, so I hope I made sense. "

Yes, that's the actual email I sent. I tried to get all of the info in without scaring her off. As I mentioned...what if she did know and just didn't care to have anything to do with me? I wanted to at least encourage her to contact me with that news. I don't think that I ever felt like it wasn't her. Though it seemed too easy, I just felt like it was right. I was writing my first letter to my sister. My baby sister.

Would she write me back? What did she know? Was she completely in the dark like I was? Was I about to blow her mind?

I eventually signed off. Satisfied that I had sent a letter that would fully explain my side, yet not scare her off. Nothing creepy. Just real.

I had to work the next day, but I could barely sleep that night. When is she going to receive this email? Does she check her email daily? I mean, I check mine religiously about 10 times a day. Did she have my DNA and did she do the same thing?

I woke up the next day after barely sleeping. Immediately signed on and checked my email. Nope. Nothing. Okay, it's only been about 8 hours since I left it, give her a chance to read it! I sign off and head out to the gym. Work out for a couple of hours and get ready for work. I head into the bar. I was distracted and not really into working. After my shift, I head back to the apartment. Immediately signing on line. Email from a few friends, spam, etc. But, no reply from Marsha. I started getting anxious. And then started thinking really bad thoughts.

"Did something happen to her? Is she still alive? What if something is wrong and I never hear anything?"

Yeah, pretty macabre thoughts. I know. I was getting paranoid that I would never hear from her. I stayed on line all night and fell asleep. Woke up in the morning and still nothing. I started to fear the worst. I would never find her. I know it had only been a day or so, but I was getting scared and nervous. I think I actually prayed for the first time in many years. That Roman Catholic upbringing really sticks with you! I must have said 300 Hail Mary's and 43 Our Fathers. Seriously, I prayed to whatever being above to deliver unto me, my sister. I made bargains.

"I will stop doing this or that if you get her in touch with me."

Some of the stuff I said, I must have secretly thought I wouldn't find her, because let me tell ya....

Never mind.

I was bereft with worry as I headed off to work. Still quite distracted. I was asked to go partying with my friends, but wanted to rush home to check the email. I do.

I rush in to the apartment. Sign on. I hear the familiar AOL greeting.

"You've got mail."

Okay. Good sign. But, I had mail the previous night and got nothing. Sure enough. Spam, friends, etc.

Wait...

I scroll down a bit.

I stare at the screen.

There it was. In the subject line of an email.

"Re: in search of..."

And, yes, the FROM line had marsha rolls in the email address.

Oh my God. This is it. This is from her. My sister. Marsha. My baby sister, Marsha! Suddenly, I got sweaty and nervous and wasn't sure what to do. Well, I guess open the email would be a start. I grab the mouse on my laptop. I click on "read." And I enter a new world that starts a little something like this.

"Dear Jimmy

Congratulations! Your search has ended."

...to be continued.

Comments

[Priscellie]

Wow. I realize that I've started every comment for the entries in this series with "Wow", but that pretty much summarizes my reaction! I look forward to seeing what Marsha said in response.