Patricia and Madeline

Patricia and Madeline (or Patty and Maddy as they had been called since grade school) were often confused for twins. They were sisters, but they were born just 9 months apart and because of their birthdays it worked out that they started school together. Patty was older by 9 months and never let Maddy forget it whenever an argument arose. Luckily arguments became less and less as almost seventy years passed and their hair had greyed.

Each girl had gone their seperate ways after high school. Patty staying at home while Maddy married her high school sweetheart. Maddy and her husband started their family right away, having two children before she was 21. Patty on the other hand studied and became a nurse for a local clinic. 

All that had been many years in the past. Patty had retired over ten years ago from the clinic. She moved in with Maddy after her husband passed away in 2002. Now their lives centered around Maddy's four grandchildren, their volunteer work (Patty still volunteered at local clinics) and their trips to the gym.

When Maddy's son had suggested the sisters start visiting the gym - they both had scoffed, stating "they were too old for such foolishness!" Her son, however, would not deterred and brought them to work out with him over a year ago. Now Patty and Maddy enjoyed their almost daily trips to the gym. They each had bought a set of colorful weight gloves to protect their hands on the rough machines. They discovered if they did not understand a machine, often the most bulkiest of men were willing to help them figure them out. They developed quite a following now, waving and smiling at the tattoed weight lifters as they walked through the gym. 

They had agreed when they first started coming to the gym on their own that they would enjoy their workouts. They would always share a machine so they could talk (ok, gossip) while working out. After the machines, they would take the elevator upstairs to do a little cardio. This is where Patty and Maddy would split. Patty preferred the upright bike, while Maddy preferred the recumbent bike. Another 20 minutes and they would be done for today. 

They were both looking forward to going to dinner this evening - a late Easter dinner at Maddy's daughter's house. Her daughter had called on Saturday and said she had important news. The sisters had been debating about what it might be since receiving the call. Her daughter had never married and was "too old" for children so they debated about what the news could be.  Either way, they were looking forward to seeing her and spending time with family.