My sister and I finished medical school together, but our parents paid off her student loans during
My sister and I finished medical school together, but our parents paid off her student loans without a thought for mine. She deserves it so much more, my dear. When they attended the party celebrating her graduation, a little surprise awaited them…
My sister and I finished medical school together, but our parents paid off her student loans without worrying about mine. « She deserves it more than me, honey. » When they came to celebrate her debt-free graduation, a little surprise awaited them.
« She deserves it more, darling, » said Mom without even looking up from the pile of delicious little cakes she had arranged on the tiered stand. « Jessica has always been more focused on her studies. You’ve always had other interests. »
This casual dismissal hurt me more than a slap in the face. I stood in my parents’ kitchen, my brand-new medical diploma still in its frame, trying to understand what I had just heard.
“Mom, we both passed our baccalaureate with honors. We had exactly the same average.” My voice was steady, but my hands were trembling slightly. “I don’t understand why you and Dad paid off all of Jessica’s loans and not mine.”
« Audrey, » my mother sighed, finally looking up at me with that familiar expression of mild disappointment. « Your sister isn’t lucky enough to have a wealthy mentor like Dr. Fleming who cares about her future. You’ve always had advantages that Jessica hasn’t. »
I almost laughed. Dr. Vivian Fleming was my research supervisor because I got the job by working 80 hours a week in the lab, while Jessica skied in Aspen with our parents. The upside was that I worked myself to exhaustion while my twin sister received unwavering emotional and financial support from our parents.
« So I’m being punished for finding my own mentoring opportunities? » I asked, trying to hide my disappointment.
My father came in and put an arm around my mother’s shoulder. « No one’s punishing you, Audrey. We’re just being pragmatic. Your sister needs more help than you do. You’ve always been more resourceful. »
Ingenious. That’s the word they use to justify their absence from my undergraduate research presentations while they travel across the country for Jessica’s volleyball tournaments. Ingenious. That’s also their explanation for Jessica getting a new car for her 20th birthday, while I got a gas station gift card.
Tomorrow was the party to celebrate Jessica’s graduation, an idea of my parents’, of course. They were going to invite all the family, her friends, and even former professors. The invitations read « Celebrating Jessica’s Success, » as if graduating from medical school debt-free was her own achievement and not the result of a financial decision by our parents.
« I have to go, » I finally said, grabbing my bag. « I have a morning shift at the hospital tomorrow. »
« Will you still be able to come to Jessica’s party? » asked Mom, the worry finally showing in her voice – not for me, but for the impact my absence might have on this very special day for my sister.
« I will be there, » I promised, even though the thought made my stomach clench.
As I walked toward my car, my phone vibrated: a message from Dr. Fleming: “I absolutely must tell you about the Patterson scholarship. It’s important news.” I stared at the screen, a cold reality crashing over me. My parents’ favoritism wasn’t just unfair; it was about to become publicly humiliating, and there was nothing I could do to stop what was about to happen.
My twin sister Jessica and I had strangely divergent paths from the moment we were born. I arrived first; she followed six minutes later. According to family tradition, I was calm and observant, while Jessica announced her arrival with loud, healthy cries. Perhaps that set the tone for everything that followed.
Throughout our childhood in Cleveland, Jessica was the outgoing twin, the one who made friends easily and excelled at sports. I was quieter, more studious, spending hours at the public library learning everything from astronomy to zoology. Our parents attended all of Jessica’s soccer games and dance recitals; my victories in science fairs earned me a quick « Well done, Audrey! » and a pat on the head.
In high school, the pattern was well established. When we both announced our intention to study medicine, our parents seemed delighted for Jessica. As for me, there were worried discussions about the workload and my ability to handle the pressure.
« Medical studies aren’t just about being intelligent, Audrey, » my father had warned me. « You also need determination and tenacity. Jessica has always surpassed herself. »
The irony was cruel. Throughout my time at Ohio State University, I maintained a perfect GPA while working part-time to support myself. Jessica struggled with organic chemistry and physics, requiring expensive private tutoring that our parents readily paid for. When she had to retake the MCAT, they paid for exclusive preparation. When I scored in the 98th percentile on my first attempt, they simply nodded and said, « That’s good, honey. »
Despite everything, I never felt any resentment towards Jessica. She was my sister, my twin, and I loved her. She wasn’t the cause of our parents’ favoritism; she simply benefited from it. Sometimes, I even had the impression that she felt uncomfortable with their obvious preference, even though she never said so openly.
We were both accepted into the same medical school in Michigan, and for four years we studied together, supported each other through grueling rotations, and celebrated our respective achievements. I thought that finally, our parents would see us as equally brilliant. Instead, they found new ways to highlight Jessica’s accomplishments while downplaying mine. When I was selected to present my research at a national conference, Jessica had, by some strange coincidence, received an award for her community involvement that same weekend. Guess which event our parents attended.
But everything changed during our final year when Dr. Vivien Fleming, a renowned neurosurgeon, noticed my research on childhood head injuries. Under her guidance, I was able to flourish. For the first time, someone recognized my potential and encouraged me to excel, not despite my personality, but because of it.
« You have a gift for research, Audrey, » Dr. Fleming once told me. « You perceive patterns that escape others. This kind of intuition cannot be learned. »
If only my parents could see me through her eyes.
The day before Jessica’s birthday, I met Dr. Fleming in her office. She was a remarkable woman, in her sixties, with silver hair and piercing blue eyes that missed nothing. The walls of her office were covered with awards, publications, and photos with leading medical figures from around the world.
« Audrey, sit down, » she said, indicating the chair opposite her desk. « I have some amazing news. »
My heart raced. For weeks, I had been waiting for news about the Patterson Fellowship at Johns Hopkins, the most prestigious neurosurgery research position in the country. Only one medical student, out of all the graduates, would get it.
« The committee has made its decision regarding the Patterson scholarship, » said Dr. Fleming, his face impassive. I held my breath.
« They selected you, » she said, beaming. « Congratulations, Dr. Audrey Collins. You’re going to Baltimore. »
Joy, disbelief, and gratitude washed over me in waves. The Patterson Fellowship. The pinnacle for any neuroscience researcher. Mine.
« I… I don’t know what to say, » I stammered.
« You have truly earned it, » Dr. Fleming stated firmly. « Your research on neurovascular regeneration after trauma has been groundbreaking. The committee was particularly impressed by your dual approach, combining surgical innovation and pharmacological intervention. »
The scholarship included a generous stipend, housing assistance, and, most importantly, the complete cancellation of my debts. I would be debt-free, like Jessica, but through my own merits and not through my parents’ favoritism.
“That’s not all,” continued Dr. Fleming, her eyes twinkling. “I’ve been invited to Jessica’s party this evening. Your parents extended an invitation purely as a courtesy to the faculty, unaware of our collaboration. I’d like to announce the scholarship news then, if that’s alright with you.”
My heart sank. « I don’t know, Dr. Fleming. It’s supposed to be Jessica’s night, and my parents might think I’m trying to steal her thunder. »
Dr. Fleming’s face hardened slightly. « Audrey, I’ve observed your family dynamics over the past two years. I’ve seen your parents at receptions at the hospital, I’ve heard them talk about you and your sister. I understand your hesitation, but sometimes recognition needs to be public to be accepted. »
She was right, of course. If my parents had heard about this scholarship privately, they would have found a way to downplay it or attribute it to luck rather than merit.
« Okay, » I nodded slowly. « You can announce it. »
As I left her office, my phone vibrated: a text from Jessica: « Mom’s making a huge fuss tonight. It’s embarrassing. I wish she’d put in as much effort to celebrate both of our graduations. See you tonight! » Ha!
I stared at the message, perplexed. It was the first time Jessica had mentioned the unequal treatment from our parents. Before I could even reply, another message arrived, this time from my mother: « Don’t forget your smart casual outfit for tonight, and let your sister enjoy this moment. It’s very important to her. »
The contrast between the two messages was striking. Perhaps I’d been wrong about Jessica all along. And perhaps tonight would reveal truths my parents had avoided for 26 years.
The party celebrating Jessica’s debt-free status was being held at a chic restaurant in downtown Detroit. My parents had booked the entire rooftop terrace—a luxury that undoubtedly cost thousands of dollars. Stepping out of the elevator, a large banner proclaimed, « Congratulations, Dr. Jessica! » with no mention of the fact that there were now two Dr. Collinses in the family. I smoothed down my navy dress and took a deep breath. This was Jessica’s night. No matter what Dr. Fleming had planned to announce, I wasn’t going to let years of resentment ruin my relationship with my twin sister.
« Audrey! » Jessica spotted me immediately, breaking away from a group of friends to run towards me. She was radiant in her silver cocktail dress, her blonde hair – the same color as mine, but cut into a trendy bob while I wore mine long – perfectly styled.
« Thank God you’re here. Aunt Patty asked me five times if I finally had a boyfriend. »
Despite my nervousness, we laughed. « What did you say to him? »
« I’m married to medicine. But if she knows of any qualified neurosurgeons, I’m open to applications. »
Jessica put her arm around mine. « Seriously, this is ridiculous. Mom invited half the medical school. Dean Wilson is here. »
I glanced around the crowded terrace and indeed spotted the dean deep in conversation with our father. « Wow! They really spared no expense. »
« This is too much. It’s humiliating, » Jessica said in a low voice. « And why only me? We both graduated. We both worked like crazy. »
The knot in my stomach eased slightly. Perhaps Jessica was more perceptive than I had imagined.
« Audrey, Jessica… » Our mother appeared, a glass of champagne in her hand. « Jessica, Henderson just arrived. Do you remember Thomas Henderson, the head of surgery at Cleveland Memorial? You should come and say hello. »
She took Jessica’s arm, separating us, then glanced at me. « Audrey, could you check if the caterer has brought out the gluten-free options? Your cousin Beth is up to her old tricks with her diet again. »
And just like that, overnight, I found myself managing the catering service while Jessica was being introduced to the hospital administrators. Some things never change.
I was directing the weighing staff to the correct table when Dr. Fleming arrived. She looked elegant in her carmine red pantsuit, effortlessly drawing everyone’s attention.
« Audrey, » she said warmly, taking me in her arms, « are you ready for our announcement? »
« I’m not sure, » I admitted. « The timing seems complicated. »
Fleming observed the party, noticing the banner, the carefully decorated cake bearing only Jessica’s name, the slideshow of photos where she was front and center—and where I could occasionally be seen in the background. « I see, » she said softly. « More complicated than I thought. »
On the other side of the terrace, I watched my parents introduce Jessica to Dr. Margaret Woo, the chief neurosurgeon at Detroit Medical Center, where Jessica and I had both applied for residency positions. My stomach was in knots. Were they trying to get her a position through their connections?
« Dr. Fleming! » My father had spotted her and was approaching, followed by my mother and Jessica. « What an honor to have you with us! I believe you worked with Audrey. »
« Work? » Dr. Fleming raised an eyebrow. « Audrey has been my principal research partner for two years. Her contribution to our study on head trauma was instrumental to its success. »
My parents exchanged a look that I couldn’t really interpret.
« That’s wonderful, » my mother said vaguely. « Jessica has also been very involved in neurosurgical research. In fact, Dr. Woo was just saying how impressed she was with Jessica’s application to her program. »
I felt anger rising in my cheeks. Jessica hadn’t done research in neurosurgery. She had specialized in neuropsychiatry, a completely different field. My parents were openly misrepresenting her experience, potentially at the expense of my own perspective.
Dr. Fleming’s expression remained amiable, but I could detect a steely glint in his eyes. « Really? Fascinating. I had the impression that Jessica was focusing on psychiatric applications rather than surgical procedures. »
An awkward silence fell over our small group. My illusory hope was closing in on me. This announcement was going to make things worse, instead of better.
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