- 4.
Ever since I could remember, my biological
parents and brothers never stopped loving
They took great care of me when my aunt
and uncle were working.
They’d told me more than once that even
though I was adopted by my aunt, I was
always welcome home.
They even made a special room just for me,
with my own study and piano room.
So, I wasn’t awkward or anything. I just
crashed on the couch and started munching
on the fruit my aunt cut up for me.
I heard hurried footsteps coming from
outside.
Mom and Dad rushed in, looking frantic.
“Kayla! Kayla!”
“What’s up?”
Mom sighed in relief when she saw me. She
grabbed my face in her hands.
“Kayla, honey, you were upset. Brittany’s just
a little sensitive right now, don’t take it to
heart.”
<
I asked, “So, I just deserve to be treated like
dirt?”
Dad was shocked. “What are you saying?!”
“We’ve watched you grow up since you were
tiny, you’re our own daughter, no one can
treat you like that!”
Mom said, “Kayla, it hurts me to hear you say
that.”
“Okay, well, I don’t want to go back over
there and hear her say that stuff. I’m staying
here for a few days.”
Mom and Dad said at the same time, “No
way. You’re coming home with us, I don’t
trust leaving you.”
They each grabbed an arm and dragged me
back next door.
They were afraid I’d stay at my real parents‘
place and never come back. I guess they
weren’t totally absorbed in Brittany.
I looked down. I’d walked out so dramatically
on purpose, to test them.
I wanted to see if they’d written me off now
that they had their real daughter back.
But it looked like I’d been wrong. And that
someone else was way off base.
I glanced up at a window on the second floor
and saw a figure standing behind the
curtains.
I smiled. Brittany, I win this round.
