“I don't care.”
Emma stared.
This was new.
Lucas handed her the second bar.
“You can have it later.”
She took it.
Then:
“Is your mom mean?”
Lucas’s face changed.
He thought.
“Sometimes.”
“Is she mean to me because I'm not yours?”
He frowned.
“What?”
“Because I'm not your real sister.”
Lucas stared.
“You are my real sister.”
Emma shook her head.
“We're steps.”
“So?”
“Kids at school say step doesn't count.”
Lucas rolled his eyes.
“Kids at school think chocolate milk comes from brown cows.”
Emma smiled.
Then became serious.
“Your mom likes you better.”
Lucas did not answer quickly enough.
Emma looked down.
He moved closer.
“She loves me different.”
“That means better.”
“No.”
He thought about it.
“Maybe sometimes it feels better.”
Honest.
Emma’s eyes filled.
Lucas continued:
“But Dad likes you better sometimes too.”
She stared.
“No.”
“Yes.”
“He always knows your school stuff.”
“He forgets my games.”
“Because he travels.”
“He still forgets.”
Emma looked guilty.
Lucas immediately said:
“See?”
“What?”
“You look like it's your fault.”
She looked down.
“It’s not.”
He continued:
“Mom being nicer to me isn't my fault.”
“Dad being closer to you isn't yours.”
Emma looked at him.
“Then whose?”
“I don't know.”
Eleven years old.
Wise enough to see a problem.
Too young to solve it.
He handed her the granola bar again.
“Eat.”
She did.
The next morning, Michael called Rachel Carter.
She arrived at eleven.
Forty-six.
Black hair cut at the chin.
Sarah’s older sister by four years.
She carried no affection for conflict and no ability to hide it when conflict arrived.
Diane sat across from her at the kitchen island.
Michael explained.
Dinner.
Rules.
Delayed calls.
Trust contributions.
Everything.
Rachel remained silent for nearly five minutes after he finished.
Then:
“I want to speak to Emma.”
Diane stiffened.
Michael saw.
Rachel did too.
“Problem?”
Diane swallowed.
“No.”
Rachel looked toward Michael.
“Alone.”
Diane said:
“No.”
Both turned.
She immediately clarified:
“Not because I want to control what Emma says.”
Rachel stared.
Diane continued:
“Because I don't want her questioned by adults until her story becomes evidence.”
Michael looked at her.
Surprised.
Diane swallowed.
“She should have someone neutral.”
Rachel’s expression changed slightly.