Chapter 1
The first thing I noticed was Lily’s tiara.
It sparkled under the pink-and-gold balloons like something from a princess movie.
Everyone clapped when Grandma Diane placed it on her head.
Lily smiled.
For one second, I smiled too.
We were twins.
It was our tenth birthday.
Mom had promised us before leaving for her business trip that the party would belong to both of us.
Same number of balloons.
Same number of presents.
Same amount of love.
At least that was what she thought.
Grandma Diane turned toward me.
She was holding my dress.
My stomach dropped.
It was black.
Not elegant black.
Not pretty black.
It looked like stiff plastic.
The fabric scratched my arms and made loud crinkling noises whenever I moved.
I stared at it.
“Grandma… where’s my pink dress?”
She smiled.
Not kindly.
“You don’t need one.”
Behind her, Lily was already wearing a sparkling pink princess gown.
The skirt spread around her like a cloud.
Tiny crystals covered the sleeves.
She looked beautiful.
I looked like someone had wrapped me in a trash bag.
Grandma stepped closer and adjusted one ugly strap on my shoulder.
Then she leaned down.
“That’s all you deserve.”
My eyes burned instantly.
Several relatives were standing nearby.
A few looked uncomfortable.
Nobody said anything.
Grandma turned and clapped.
“Pictures!”
Everyone moved toward the balloon wall.
Lily started to reach for my hand.
Grandma stopped her.
“No.”
Lily frowned.
“What?”
Grandma pointed at me.
“Maya stays over there.”
I stared at her.
“Why?”
“Because she’ll ruin the pictures.”
My throat closed.
Lily’s smile disappeared.
“Grandma, she’s supposed to be with me.”
Grandma ignored her.
She pointed toward a chair near the hallway.
“Sit there.”
I didn’t move.
Grandma’s eyes hardened.
“Maya.”
Tears rolled down my cheeks.
“Mom said this birthday was for both of us.”
Grandma leaned close enough for only us to hear.
“Your mother isn’t here.”
Those words hurt worse than the dress.
Mom had left two days earlier for a business conference.
She had kissed both of us goodbye.
She had handed Grandma Diane a folder containing party instructions.
She had told her everything was prepaid.
Two matching dresses.
Two cakes.
Two sets of gifts.
Two birthday crowns.
Mom had looked directly at Grandma and said, “Please make sure they both feel special.”
Grandma had smiled.
“Of course.”
Now I finally understood that smile.
She had never intended to keep her promise.
The photographer lifted his camera.
“Okay, birthday girl, smile!”
Girl.
Singular.
Lily didn’t smile.
She stepped away from the backdrop.
“I want Maya.”
Grandma grabbed her shoulder.
“Don’t start.”
“But it’s our birthday.”
Grandma’s voice became sweet because people were watching.
“Maya doesn’t like photographs.”
“Yes, she does.”
I wiped my face.
“I do.”
Grandma turned toward me.
The sweetness vanished.
“Stop embarrassing yourself.”
I looked around.
Nobody met my eyes.
Not Aunt Rochelle.
Not Uncle Marcus.
Not Grandma’s church friends.
Everyone had seen what happened.
Nobody wanted to challenge her.
Then Lily did something I didn’t expect.
She reached into the small purse hanging from her wrist.
She pulled out her phone.
I didn’t know she had been recording.
Neither did Grandma.
Lily stepped beside me.
“If Maya isn’t in the pictures, I’m not either.”
Grandma’s face tightened.
“You will do exactly what I tell you.”
“No.”
Everyone became silent.
Grandma stared at Lily like she had never heard that word before.
Then she grabbed Lily’s wrist.
“Give me the phone.”
Lily pulled away.
“Stop!”
I stood.
“Don’t hurt her!”
Grandma turned on me.
“This is exactly why nobody can enjoy anything when you’re around.”
My chest felt like it cracked open.
“What did I do?”
“You complain.”
“I didn’t complain.”
“You cry.”
“You made me cry!”
Grandma stepped closer.
For a second, I thought she might slap me.
Instead she smiled again.
That smile scared me more.
“You want everyone to feel sorry for you.”
My hands shook.
“No.”
“That’s what you always do.”
Then the front door opened.
Nobody noticed at first.
Music was playing.
Guests were whispering.
Grandma was still staring at me.
But Lily saw.
Her eyes widened.
“Mom.”
Grandma froze.
I turned.
Mom stood inside the doorway.
Claire Carter.
My mother.
Her navy business suit was slightly wrinkled from traveling.
A suitcase stood beside her.
Gift bags filled both hands.
For half a second, she looked happy.
Then she saw Lily.
Pink gown.
Tiara.
Perfect curls.
Then she saw me.
Black plastic dress.
Red eyes.
Wet cheeks.
Her smile disappeared.
The gift bags slowly lowered.
“Mom…” Lily whispered.
I couldn’t speak.
Mom looked at Grandma.
Then back at me.
Her voice was almost frighteningly calm.
“Mom.”
Grandma Diane swallowed.
“What?”
Mom stepped forward.
“What did you do?”
Grandma recovered quickly.
“Oh, Claire, don’t be dramatic. Maya had a little tantrum.”
My mouth fell open.
“I didn’t!”
Mom’s eyes snapped toward me.
“I know.”
Those two words made me cry harder.
Grandma laughed nervously.
“This is ridiculous. She didn’t like her dress.”
Mom stared at the black dress.
“I bought Maya a pink dress.”
The room changed.
Grandma’s face went still.
Mom put down her suitcase.
“I bought two matching dresses.”
Nobody spoke.
Mom continued.
“They were delivered here three days ago.”
Grandma waved one hand.
“One was damaged.”
Lily stepped forward.
“No, it wasn’t.”
Grandma looked at her sharply.
Lily’s hand was still holding the phone.
Mom noticed.
“What do you mean?”
Lily swallowed.
“Grandma hid Maya’s dress.”
Grandma went pale.
Mom’s expression hardened.
“What?”
Lily raised the phone.
“I recorded what Grandma said before you came.”
Grandma lunged.
“Give me that!”
Lily jumped backward.
I screamed.
Mom moved instantly.
She stepped between Grandma and Lily.
“Nobody deletes anything.”
Grandma stopped.
Her breathing became fast.
Her eyes moved around the room.
For the first time all afternoon, she looked afraid.
Mom held out her hand.
“Lily.”
Lily gave her the phone.
Grandma whispered, “Claire, you need to understand—”
Mom didn’t even look at her.
She stared at the screen.
Then at me.
Then at the room full of silent relatives.
“What exactly am I about to hear?”
Grandma said nothing.
Lily looked at me.
I looked at Mom.
May you like
And for the first time that day, I realized Grandma Diane had made one terrible mistake.
She had believed my mother wouldn’t come home.
