The Hidden

Who Am I?

As soon as Dyann was sure she could not be seen from the house, she spit the pills into her hand. Finally, there seemed to be enough undissolved that maybe she could figure out what they were. Even though she had worked since she was 14, this was the first time she had worked in a doctors office and the first time she had kept a job long enough to make a friend and get some help. They typically moved every 6 to 8 months. It was always sudden and she was told it was for “grandfathers work”.  When she was younger it was just inconvenient and sad. She was not homeschooled like Meagan. As a result every time they moved she fell behind at school. By the time she caught up and started to make good grades, they moved again. She remembered complaining around 13 years old that she would never get into college. Her family laughed hysterically and then beat her violently making it clear she would never go to college. Of course, Meagan was a freshman this year and home for winter break. Rubbing salt in the wound that was Dyann’s life. As she started working, it became less inconvenient to move and began to feel like they were running. Someone would question her legal name and bam! They moved a few days later. She would miss work due to some injury inflicted by her family and as soon as people cared enough about her to call and check on her, they moved again. This time was different. This time she was careful. She befriended one person, Jenna. Her first real friend. Jenna knew that something was off with the “family”.  She helped  Dyann hide money that she would use to escape very soon. Once they unraveled the secret of her medical condition and she knew she could manage it on her own, she would disappear. Jenna was ready to help. Jenna knew to act unfriendly and cold if her family showed up unexpectedly. She knew to never call  she knew not to drop by or extend any kindness. As a result of this friendship, Dyann expected to get some answers today. Jenna trained her at the office for more than basic receptionist duties. She also trained on medical billing and coding, transcription, and basic skills like drawing blood, CPR, first aid.  She set up a patient name for their training and they used that patient information to submit blood work. The results are due today. Now they will run a few test on these pills and figure out what the hell she has been popping like candy for over 20 years. Based on the information they had Jenna was thinking it was an autoimmune disease. Low energy levels, weakness, muscle fatigue, muscle aches, low level but constant pain, sallow skin, headaches and the list goes on. Hopefully today she would find out the truth. 

The morning went pretty well. The office was busy but it was a good day. She used her lunch break to shop as planned and had everything she needed for an elegant dinner. When she got back to the office the doctors were out for their weekly 2 hour lunch meeting. Jenna was holding a thick envelope as Dyann walked in the back door. “It’s time!” She all but shouted. 

Dyann was nervous. She shook her head, “I’m not sure I want to do this.”

“Oh yes you do. You have to figure out what meds you need so you can take care of yourself once you leave those awful people.  We have your bloodwork, your dna, your grandfather’s dna, and we will figure this out “

Jenna was so optimistic and excited that it gave Dyann confidence. She ripped the envelope open but had a hard time understanding what she was seeing. Had her blood work been contaminated?  Surely not, Jenna was so careful and this was really important to her too. 

Dyann turned confused eyes to her friend, “Am I understanding this right?  Grandfather is not related to me?  My dna is ‘inconclusive due to mixed canine blood’, and I have heavy metal toxicity”. 

Jenna shook her head and her eyes welled up’ “oh Dyann I’m so sorry. This is obviously incorrect and I’m not sure what happened. We can draw more blood and resubmit based on the contamination. It won’t be billed again because it was likely contaminated at the lab. We will figure this out,”. 

“Ok. Let’s do it before the docs return. Let’s draw the blood again, send the medicines off for testing, and resubmit the dna. I hate the man, but he is my grandfather. He is all I’ve ever known,”

As they got back to work, Dyann’s mind was racing. One thing she was sure about, she would not be swallowing those pills again until he knew what was happening and who she was. 

At 4:30 she thanked Jenna but did not hug her bye since uncle was already outside. As usual when her family was around, she was being watched.