Chapter 2

"Mike, that's not polite. No matter what, your mom is still your mom," Tyra said.

Luckily, Michael had Tyra, who was always gentle with him, and he only ever listened to her.

"Michael, did you hear me? Apologize to your mom right now, or I'm not reading you a bedtime story tonight," Tyra said firmly.

Under Tyra's firm insistence, Michael slowly shuffled over to me and mumbled a quiet apology.

I nodded to show I'd heard him.

Seeing how cold I was, Michael gave me a searching look, sizing me up.

"Go on, go to Tyra," I said, nudging him over to her.

Michael froze, surprise written all over his face, just standing there.

When he realized he hadn't misheard me, he looked torn, clearly struggling with what to do.

I ignored him and sat down on the stool nearby.

Feeling snubbed, Michael made a face, glanced at Tyra, and marched straight into the house before he tossed out, "I'm going to do my homework."

Then he shut himself in his room and didn't show his face again.

Tyra stood there looking awkward, apologizing nonstop. "Millie, I'm really sorry. He's just swamped with homework. He didn't mean it. Why don't you go rest for a while? Let me handle Michael."

After hearing Tyra's apology, I sighed and went back to my room.

I was Michael's mother, yet it was someone else apologizing on his behalf.

It felt like I was just an outsider here, like I didn't belong in this family at all.

I felt grateful that I made that call. This family was so messed up. It would be better for me to leave it.

Night fell, and the crickets started chirping.

Michael dragged himself over and knocked on my door, looking like he'd rather be anywhere else. "Mom, you're so lazy. Just lounging around all day.

"Don't you feel ashamed? Guess that's why Dad can't stand you. Tyra's been busy all day, and you didn't even lift a finger to help."

He had a sour look on his face. I got up and rubbed my aching head, just about to ask what his deal was, when I caught sight of Tyra sitting on the stool outside the door.

She was holding Michael's textbook, fiddling with her long braid every so often.

Michael grabbed a stool and flopped down right next to her. "I went and called Mom as you said. Can you keep reading to me now?"

That hit me harder than I expected. He'd never once asked me to read to him before.

But then I remembered I'd be gone soon, and suddenly, it didn't matter anymore.

Tyra shot me a quick look, and it was obvious she realized it, too.

She turned to David. "Dinner's ready. I should head home now. Millie's here, so she can take care of Mike."

"No, I only want you," Michael shouted, jumped up from the stool, clung to Tyra's sleeve, and glared at me. "Why did you come back? Now Tyra has to leave because of you. I don't want you here. I only want Tyra."

His words cut deep.

But I had no choice but to force a smile. "Please stay, he really needs you."

David shot me a surprised look. After all, I'd argued with Tyra more than once because of Michael.

Normally, Michael would burst into tears, run straight into Tyra's arms, and turn his back on me.

Compared to them, I felt more like the outsider, the third wheel in their happy family.

No drama, I just said calmly, "Let's eat."

Tyra took charge of everything, like she ran the house.

None of that bothered me anymore. All that mattered now was getting some food in me.

David cooked dinner. He knew Michael and Tyra's tastes by heart, so even the simplest veggie dish was packed with chili peppers.

I couldn't handle spicy food at all. After just a few bites, I started coughing like crazy.

Tyra hurried over and patted my back, already thinking about making something milder for me.

Worried Michael would complain I was giving her extra trouble, I quickly refused. "No, this is fine."

Those chili peppers had me tearing up.

But that only ticked Michael off more. He started dumping even more chili peppers onto my plate, grinning at me with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Mom, Tyra says we can't waste food."