Skip to content
My aunt only wanted to adopt my little sister to get her hands on the money – she had no idea that I had an ace up my sleeve.
« Gut. »
She stroked Vicky’s hair. My sister leaned back.
Denise pretended not to notice anything.
« We simply want the best for them. »
Howard came in behind her, carrying two coffees.
He gave me a brief nod.
« How did the inspection go? »
I stared at him.
Denise’s gaze flickered to her husband.
Too late.
I said, « That’s strange. I didn’t tell you there was one. »
Howard took a sip.
« Denise mentioned that there had been concerns. »
« From whose side do these concerns originate? »
Denise interrupted her. « Don’t be childish. »
“I’m 19,” I snapped at him. “Apparently, that’s the entire charge against me.”
She lowered her voice.
« Nobody is against you, Michael. »
« Three complaints in five weeks. »
She waved her hand. « I can’t control what people report. »
« You seem to be quite well informed about this. »
Howard stepped between us.
« Let’s not do this in front of Vicky. »
That part was at least fair.
I looked towards the table.
Vicky had completely stopped painting.
I forced my voice to be silent.
« What do you want, Denise? »
« I want you to get your life back. »
« I have a life. »
She laughed. « Two jobs and no university studies? »
Her gaze wandered towards the counter.
A smoke-stained envelope was partially buried under a pile of schoolwork.
My application documents for college.
Denise picked it up.
« You had plans. »
« Put that away! » I demanded.
« Your mother was so proud when you came in. »
„Denise.“
She carefully placed it on the counter.
« You’re nineteen, Michael. Act like one. » Then she glanced at Vicky. « Leave the rest to the adults. »
Vicky’s colored pencil broke.
Denise glanced over at her.
« Schatz… »
« Don’t do it, » I said.
Her gaze returned to me. « Excuse me? »
« Don’t talk to her as if you’ve always been here. »
Denise’s cheeks flushed red.
Three months earlier, she had barely known which cartoons Vicky watched or what she ate for breakfast. Now every sentence was framed by « sweetheart, » « my girl, » or « Mama Denise. »
It was as if she were auditioning for a role that no one had offered her.
Denise picked up her handbag.
« See you on Saturday. »
» NO. «
Her hand froze.
Howard frowned. « The visit has already been arranged. »
« For Saturday afternoon, » I reminded him. « Not overnight. »
Denise smiled strainedly. « For now. »
Then she leaned towards Vicky.
« Mom Denise will bring you your new coat. »
Vicky looked up.
Her facial expression was completely frozen.
« You are not my mom. »
Denise blinked.
« Honey, I just meant that one day it might feel completely natural. »
“I already had one,” Vicky replied.
The light went out of Denise’s eyes, her smile seemed empty.
Howard cleared his throat.
Denise grabbed Vicky’s shoulder.
I stepped between them.
See more on the next page