- 4.
I’m in bed, texting my bestie about what
happened today.
She texts back, “I can’t believe this real/fake
daughter thing is happening in real life! I
thought it was only on TV.”
I snort, me either.
<
The real daughter shows up and the parents
kick out the adopted one without a second
thought.
I’ve read this plot in books, but now it’s
happening to me.
The other day, my eighteenth birthday party
was huge, Dad introduced me to everyone.
I wonder how they’re going to announce
Bethany’s the real daughter.
Next day, noon.
I get ready and head out.
My bestie and I are looking at shop locations,
we’re thinking of starting a business together.
Of course, I run into them.
One was supposedly sick, the other rolled
down the stairs and ended up in the hospital,
but now they’re shopping.
I duck my head, hoping they don’t see me, but
Bethany yells out, “Abby!”
I grab my bestie and walk over, say a polite
く
- hi.
I see people staring, wondering when the
Millers got another daughter.
“Let’s shop together,” Bethany suggests.
My friend tugs my sleeve, rolls her eyes, I get
the message.
She doesn’t want to hang out with Bethany,
neither do I.
Don’t need these people ruining my good
mood.
Mom sees I’m not answering, and asks, “Do
you want to shop with us?”
It’s a question, but I can tell she doesn’t want
me there.
Probably worried I’ll start another fight with
her precious daughter.
“No thanks.”
Bethany looks bummed, and Mom says, all
sweet, “If Abby doesn’t want to, that’s okay.
Don’t you want some alone time with Mom?”
L
I feel a pang, I can’t pretend I don’t miss it,
those were my pet names.
Watching them walk away, I start thinking.
Last time, I was always trying to get them to
love me again.
I used to wonder: if they found out I wasn’t
their daughter, would they stop loving me?
They’d say, “How could you not be our
daughter? And even if you weren’t, we’d still
love you.”
But that was a lie, they didn’t love me the
same after finding me.
After they’re gone, my friend asks, “Aren’t you
going to expose Bethany?”
I laugh, “Why would I?”
If they want to believe a random girl, let them
be happy.
I don’t need their love anymore.
