Chapter 4
That night, Mom knocked on my door.
“Raven, can I come in?”
I was buried in a book, didn’t look up: “Yeah.“[]
some.“[
She walked in carrying soup: “Just made this. You should try some.”
I didn’t take it: “Not hungry.“]
She put the bowl on my desk and perched on my bed: “Raven, I know you’re mad.“[]
“I’m not
“Just hear me out.” She sighed heavy. “Savannah really IS sick. Born with a heart defect. Doctors said she might not see twenty–one.“[]
I glanced up.
So all these years, we’ve spoiled her rotten, trying to give her happiness while she’s got time left.“[]
So
Mom’s eyes went watery. “Raven, can you understand that?“[]
I looked at her with total sincerity: “So what?“]
“So… can you maybe cut her some slack?”
I smiled: “Mom, lemme ask you something.”
“What?”
“If I had the heart problems and Savannah didn’t, would you make HER cut ME slack?“[]
Mom went deer in headlights.]
“You wouldn’t.” I answered for her.
“Because deep down, Savannah’s the daughter you raised for eighteen years. I’m just some DNA match who showed up.“[]
“That’s NOT true!“[]
1 dosed my book “Mom, you can go now. I’m beat.“]
Mom looked like she wanted to keep pushing, but finally just grabbed that untouched soup and left.]
That night. I heard piano coming through the walls.[]
Definitely Savannah “practicing” again.[]
She was butchering “Fur Elise,” hitting all the wrong notes.[]
Next morning at breakfast, Savannah looked like death warmed over: “Stayed up way too late practicing piano. Barely slept.“[]
Mom went full mother hen: “Don’t push yourself so hard, sweetie. Your health comes first
Mason started loading her plate. “Eat up. You need your strength]
I sipped my coffee, staying quiet![]
“Raven,” Savannah suddenly locked eyes with me “you play plano too, right?“]
She knew I heard her train wreck last night. Was this her way of starting shit?|[]
“A Little I kept it neutral.]
“OMG perfect!” She clapped like a seal. “Could you maybe help me out? There’s some parts I just CANT get right.“[]
Mom jumped right in. “Raven, if you’ve got time, maybe you could help Savannah out?
Chapter 4
I set down my bowl: “I don’t.“[]
Awkward silence hit the table.[]
Mason’s face went dark: “What’s the big deal with helping out?“]
“It’d waste my time.” I stood up. “Her basics are completely wrong. I’m not starting from scratch.“[]
“How do you even KNOW my basics are wrong?” Savannah got all defensive.[]
I gave her a look: “Für Elise last night? Third measure, wrong fingering. Seventh measure, your timing was off. Eleventh measure, you totally lost control of dynamics. Want me to keep going?“[]
Savannah went white as a sheet.[]
I’d listened ONCE and caught every single mistake.[]
That’s just how my brain works.[]
Three days before the birthday, the house went into full party mode.[]
Decorations, flowers, fancy dresses–all for Savannah.[]
Tinight as well have been invisible. Nobody asked what I needed.[]
Honestly? Kind of peaceful.[]
That afternoon, I was reading when Savannah barged in with a gift box.[]
“Raven! I got you a birthday present.“[]
I
didn’t reach for it: “Don’t want it.“[]
“Come on, don’t be like that,” she plopped on my bed. “I really wanna be close, you know?“[]
“Do you now?“]
“Totally.” She opened the box–some designer necklace inside. “This is like, my most FAVORITE necklace ever. I totally want you to have it.“]
I glanced at it. Luxury brand, probably cost around fifty grand.[]
Pocket change for the Whitmores.[]
But her calling it her “most favorite“? That was interesting.
“Not interested.” I went back to my book.[]
“Raven,” she suddenly grabbed my hand.[]
“I know you hate me. Hate that I took your spot.“[]
“But Raven, this isn’t My fault!”
“I’m a victim too! I wish I had real parents too!”
Then the waterworks started again.
I pulled my hand back: “Who’s your audience?”
She cranked up the crying.]
“I’m not PERFORMING!“]
“Raven, you know what kills me? Every time Mom and Dad call me baby, I’m thinking how amazing it would be if I was actually THEIR daughter.“[]
“But I’m not! I’ll NEVER be blood“]
Suddenly, door flew open. Mom standing there: “Savannah, honey, why are you crying?”
Perfect uming, as always.
