Chapter 3

But soon, Mom talked herself out of it.

She said, "It's not like Tammy will die if I don't hold her. Babies don't remember anything anyway. Sandra is at her most vulnerable right now. Of course I have to put her first.

"Before we got married, you swore you'd treat Sandra like your own daughter. But when Tammy was bullying her, where were you? Why didn't you ever stand up for her?

"You never really saw Sandra as your own. You're always finding ways to justify yourself. If you can't accept Sandra, then I don't want to see you too. Get lost now."

Dad's eyes went wide in disbelief. "What gives you the right to kick me out?"

Mom said, "Because this house is mine, and I'm the one who pays for everything around here."

As soon as she said that, Dad, Grandpa, and Grandma all looked like bitter.

Dad clenched his fists so hard his knuckles turned white. He wanted to retort, but he couldn't get the words out.

Mom lifted her chin, glaring down at Dad with a cold, superior look.

She said, "Raul, you had to take out a loan just to get married. What makes you think you can act tough with me?

"I told you to get lost, so hurry up and leave. Did you hear me?"

And just like that, the fight was over.

I stared blankly at my broken family, and curled up in the corner, not knowing what to do.

Under the glittering crystal chandelier, Sandra was sitting in her handmade princess dress, twirling her hair with a expressionless face.

At that moment, Sandra and I shared one thing in common: we were both outsiders in this whole mess.

*****

It had been more than three months since Mom and Dad's big blowout.

Dad hadn't come back, not even once.

Today was my eighth birthday but I wasn't looking forward to it at all.

In this house, it didn't matter whose birthday it was. Sandra always got her own special gifts and cake, and she'd be right there making wishes and blowing out the candles with the birthday kid.

Last year, when I opened my eyes after making my wish, Sandra had already blown out the candles.

Everyone acted like it was totally normal. They went ahead and started cutting the cake and handing out slices like nothing weird had happened.

I stared at the candles Sandra had already blown out, and tugged at Mom's sleeve. "Mom, I didn't get to blow out the candles."

I thought Mom would comfort me, but instead, she gripped my arm tightly, her face clouded with disappointment.

She said, "When I was your age, I didn't even have a birthday cake. You have everything now. You're so lucky, and you still won't let your sister blow out the candles? Seriously, how can you be so selfish?"

I lowered my head, lost in deep self-doubt.

I thought I wasn't a good kid because I always make Mom angry.

Since then, I didn't want to celebrate my birthday anymore.

I was just selfish. I didn't want to share my birthday.

*****

That evening, Mom came home with a bunch of pretty gift bags.

She walked in and headed straight for Sandra, hugging her.

"My little princess, Mommy's home! Look, I brought you presents," Mom said. "This dress is a super rare, nationwide limited edition. And I reserved this crystal crown half a year ago just for you."

One beautiful gift after another was unwrapped, piling up all over the floor in no time.

Sandra sat on the floor, touching her new dress, checking out the crown, having the time of her life.

Mom watched Sandra for a long while, her face soft with contentment, before finally turning to me.

"Tammy, it's your birthday today. Mommy got you a present. Take a look. See if you like it," she said.

I took the gift bag and found a pink princess dress inside.

The hem was layered and ruffled, like a pink cake.

Tiny sequins dotted the skirt, catching the chandelier's light and sparkling like stars.

"Thanks, Mom. I really like it," I said.

Mom smiled softly, gave my head a quick pat, and then, like always, her attention drifted right back to Sandra.

I hurried back to my room and slipped into the new dress.

But when I came out, the living room was completely empty.

I stood in the middle of the quiet living room, glancing around. There wasn't a single person there to share how happy I was.

So I made a crazy decision and snuck out the door.

I was determined to show off my new dress to whoever I saw first.

I sat by the door and waited.

Time passed. Finally, the elevator doors slid open.

A girl walked out, wearing the same pink princess dress I had on.

I recognized her.

Her name was Gwen Bateman, and she was a year older than me.

Her mom was Larissa. They'd been living here for a long time, but I'd never spoken to them.

Gwen spotted my dress right away.

She pouted and whined to Larissa, "Mommy, why is she wearing the same dress as me? I don't want us to look the same."