Chapter 2

Ashley Rodriguez stood there, twisting the strap of her cheap bag, her eyes wide and trying to look innocent.

Maria, her mother, was already dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief.

"Kylie, honey," Mom said, her voice gentle but strained. "This is... a shock. This is Ashley."

Ashley offered a small, hesitant smile. "Hi, Kylie. It's... nice to meet you. Officially."

The comments were back, buzzing like flies.

"Aww, Ashley is so sweet. No resentment at all!"

"Kylie, say something nice! Don't blow it this time!"

Last time, I'd gushed, welcomed her, promised to be the best sister ever.

This time, I just nodded. "Ashley."

My voice was flat. Unemotional.

Ashley's smile faltered for a split second. Maria's eyes narrowed slightly.

Mom and Dad exchanged a quick, worried glance.

"Well," Dad said, clearing his throat. "This is a lot to take in. Why don't we all go inside?"

He didn't mention me calling Maria "Mom" or anything about my birth mother. Just a plea for us to get along.

Dinner was tense. Ashley picked at her food, praising Mom's cooking with a little too much enthusiasm.

Maria mostly stared at me.

The comments kept up a running commentary.

"Ashley looks thirsty. Someone get the poor girl a glass of iced tea!"

"Kylie, your fridge is full. Offer her something! It's not hard!"

I ignored them, focusing on my mashed potatoes.

After dinner, I excused myself.

Later, a soft knock on my bedroom door.

Ashley.

"Kylie?" she said, her voice small. "I'm sorry to bother you. I'm just... really thirsty. And I saw you have one of those fancy refrigerators with the ice dispenser? I've never used one."

She looked down at her scuffed shoes. "Mom's always just had an old icebox."

Maria appeared behind her, drying her hands on her apron. She'd already made herself at home in the kitchen.

"Kylie, dear, don't mind Ashley. She's just not used to all this." Maria smiled, a little too brightly. "Maybe you could get her one of those special milkshakes you make? The ones with the peanut butter?"

The comments went wild.

"Yes! The peanut butter milkshake! She'll love it!"

"Perfect olive branch! Go, Kylie, go!"

Ashley's eyes lit up, then she quickly looked shy again. "Oh, no, I couldn't ask..."

Their insistence was a blaring alarm.