"Is that why you want to forgive her? Out of the goodness of your heart? Isn't it because of your own selfish reasons why you want to have her back in your life? Don't bullshit me. You don't want her. You want a mom. If she was a fucking alien from Uranus, you'd take her anyway. I know you too, Dylan." "That's right. You know me. Then why can't you understand me this time?" "Because this time it's not something I can fix if she hurts you!" Nothing would be the same again. He was too young to remember how long it took before our family recovered after that woman left, but I did. I remembered the nights Dad stayed up every night, sick with worry. Or the nights when I heard Dad crying. It was a terrible thing to witness. It changed me. "Can't you trust me a little bit?" he pleaded. "It's not about trusting you, Dylan." "Then what?" "I need to protect you." From others. And from yourself. It was my job since he was little. "No, you don't. You really don't." He shivered again. I let out a frustrated breath then went to the kitchen. He followed me. I saw the fresh pot of coffee Cameron had made, but coffee made Dylan anxious. I poured water in a cup and microwaved it so he could drink something warm at least. When my hand shook, I took a second to calm down before handing him the cup. "Sit down, shut up, and sip this." Cameron didn't have a dining table, but an island with bar stools. When we were seated, I waited until Dylan finished half of the warm water before I started. "So she's been going to our home behind my back. How many times?" He hid his face behind the cup, taking small, loud sips. "It was only the second time she's been home when you saw her." "And you and Dad hid this from me?" "Dad only met her today." "He didn't know?" "Not until today. I'm sorry I kept it from both of you." I swallowed the lump in my throat. Dad didn't know. But he defended her. It helped that he didn't hide it from me, but the look he gave me and the way he defended her was still fresh in my mind. It still hurt. "When did she come to our place?" "That day you came home from your OT. I asked her to come. She didn't want to. She said she was too embarrassed, but I convinced her." It made sense now. The glass with the lipstick stain I washed that day. I massaged my temples, feeling the threat of a headache. "How? How the hell did she find you?" He hung his head. "I looked for her." "You what?" "I looked for Mom. I found her on Facebook. We started talking a few weeks ago. I wanted to tell you, but you were so sad and preoccupied these past few weeks, I didn't know how to bring it up. I knew it had to do with Cameron, but whenever I asked you what's wrong, you wouldn't tell me. And I know I'm not the best brother, but I want to know what's going on with you too." "Don't turn this on me." "I'm not! I'm only saying." I wanted to appreciate his concern, but the hurt from what he did was bigger than anything else. I felt betrayed. "How's Dad with all this?" "He's worried about you. He phoned Tala and she covered for you, but I went there to see you since you weren't answering your phone. And she said you weren't there. I had a feeling you were here." It felt like a knife was stuck in my chest and it kept on getting pushed deeper and deeper. I can't think about Tala right now. "I mean what does Dad think about you bringing her to our home?" "You know how he is. I don't think he's happy that I brought Mom home without telling him. I kinda just sprung it on him, but he understands why I want to see Mom. Besides I wanted Dad and Mom to see each other, talk to each other." "Why are you doing this?" "If everything goes well, Kar, we could be a family again. A real family. Don't you want that?" "We are a real family. Dad, you and me." "But we'd be complete with Mom." He was breaking my heart. Maybe I should be a good sister and support him, but something was screaming inside me to stop him. Would I support someone I love if I knew he had an open, bleeding wound and was still going to swim in shark-infested waters? "Do you really think she'll just leave her husband? She probably already has other kids." "She said they never got married and he left her years ago. She wanted to come back to us, but was afraid we wouldn't accept her. I felt so bad. She doesn't need to go through that again." "Will you fucking listen to yourself!" He jutted his chin out. A sign that he wouldn't back down. "I just want us to be a family again." The irritating ache on the base of my neck had morphed into a full-blown headache. I got up, searched Cameron's cupboards for a first-aid kit. Where did he keep the aspirin he gave me earlier? Maybe in the bathroom. "I know you only want the best for me. You want to protect me and I know I always screw up, but I also know you're going to be there for me to help me get back up. I want to do this, Kar. I want her to come back in our lives." I turned around slowly to face him. "What about me?"