- 2.
Jake walked me upstairs.
I couldn’t stop shaking.
ist
<
He handed me a mug of hot tea, and I held it
tight.
Jake tried to explain.
“That dress? Tiffany used to wear it all the
time, she really loved it.”
“Tiffany’s always been spoiled. She’s got a
bad temper and is super possessive, but she’s
not a bad person.”
“Don’t be mad at her.”
I was still in shock.
The heat from the mug warmed my hands,
but my heart was getting colder.
After a long time, I finally looked down.
<
“I know,” I said.
“Before you came back, Tiffany was our little
princess, and she’s probably scared you’re
going to steal Mom and Dad’s love.”
“Okay.”
“We all hope Tiffany doesn’t get hurt by all
this.”
I looked up at Jake.
“You too, of course.” He added. “You’re both
my sisters, and I don’t want either of you to
be unhappy.”
“Okay,” I said, nodding.
The silence was awkward.
Г
Jake made small talk, trying to connect with
- me. “Do you remember anything from when
we were little?”
“A little bit.”
I even managed a small smile.
I had some pretty old memories, even before I
got lost.
“You weren’t nearly as well–behaved as you
are now. You were just as wild as Tiffany, and
you stole my teddy bear…”
I reached into my duffel bag and pulled out a
tattered old rabbit, cutting him off. “This
one?”
“Yeah! That’s it! How did you even keep
<
that?”
Jake took the rabbit, surprised and happy.
The rabbit had been with me for fourteen
years, so it was in rough shape.
Its tail was half–gone, it had no nose, its ears
drooped, and it was balding all over.
I was alone for so long.
Only the rabbit was always with me.
“It’s old and beat–up.” Jake ruffled my hair.
“But it’s good to have it back.”
I held the rabbit close.
We were both home.
