Chapter 3

"Four to one," Dad declared, sealing the deal. "Emily, bring out the bracelet."

I sat there, watching all four of them raise their hands.

Like they'd done so many times in the past eighteen years, every time they voted, I had to hand over whatever belonged to me.

First it was my tutoring money, then my college choice. Now, the last keepsake Grandma left me was being taken away, too.

"Alright," I said, having no protest and no tears.

I stood up, walked into my room, and dug out a worn box from the storage bin under her bed.

I ran my finger over the delicate pattern on the box.

I was sorry for Grandma.

I carried the box back to the living room and set it on the dining table.

Mom grabbed the box, opened it, and broke into a satisfied smile. "This is really nice. I'll take it to the shop this afternoon and sell it."

Alex let out a long sigh of relief. "Thanks, Mom, thanks, Dad, and thanks, Emily."

They ate heartily.

After dinner, as I stood at the sink washing dishes, I heard laughter from the living room once again.

"Mom, once Emily starts at the college, she'll basically be living on campus, right?" Sophie's voice drifted into the kitchen. "My room's so cramped that I can barely move. Can I have the guest room for a walk-in closet?"

"A walk-in closet?" Mom paused, a little surprised.

"Emily can sleep on the couch in the living room from now on. It pulls out into a double bed, way more comfortable than that wooden plank she's been stuck with," Sophie added.

Dad paused for a moment, then said, "Let's do it the democratic way, like always. Once Emily's done with the dishes, we'll take a vote."

I turned off the faucet, set the clean dishes in the rack, dried my hands, and walked out of the kitchen.

"Emily, you caught what Sophie was saying just now, didn't you?" Dad glanced over at me.

"Yeah," I replied.

"Alright, let's vote," Dad said, leaning back on the couch. "If you agree to turn the guest room into a walk-in closet for Sophie, raise your hand."

Once again, all four hands went up without a moment's hesitation.

They watched me, expecting I'd pull the same resentful and upset face, then finally cave in, like always.

But this time, I slowly raised my right hand.

Sophie looked at me in disbelief. "You really agreed?"

"Yeah," I said, lowering my hand, keeping my tone flat. "Four to one. No, actually, make that five to zero. All votes in favor. The room's yours."

I turned and walked back to my soon-to-be former room.

Mom muttered under her breath, "Why is she being so quick to go along today?"

Dad snorted. "She's finally showing some sense. That's what being family is all about."

I finally showed some sense? Yeah. Because I wouldn't need this room anymore.

I dragged a black canvas bag out from under the bed.

That was all the luggage I had.

It included a few changes of clothes, an old water bottle, and a stack of textbooks.

I stuffed everything into the bag, then zipped it up.

My phone screen lit up.

It was a text message. [Emily, the special train to the Northwest Desert Research Center will depart at 5 a.m. tomorrow. Please be at the train station on time.]

I typed out my reply: [Okay.]

Outside, the sky was darkening, and the city lights were coming on.

I sat on my hard bed, listening to the music playing from Sophie's room next door.

This was my last night in this house.