“One second.” I collected the pregnancy tests and stuffed them in a drawer under the sink. Then I pinched my cheeks to inject some color, but it was useless. Nevertheless, I quickly splashed water on my face, twisted my hair up into a bun, and used the clip on the counter to secure the updo in place.
“Deep breath,” I mumbled, opening the door. “Hey, lil’ sis. What’s wrong?”
Kaylee’s face was littered with red blotches, probably like mine. “Mom’s going to prison for a year.”
Another punch in the gut. Today seemed like the day to screw with me. Still, I shoved my crisis aside as best as I could. Kaylee’s tears always came first.
“Where did you hear this?” I guided her over to the bed and patted the mattress. “Up.”
“I overheard Mrs. Armstrong talking to Mom’s lawyer.” She tucked her legs underneath her once she crawled up toward the pillows.
Considering the judge had denied Mom’s bail, I shouldn’t be surprised. I grabbed a couple of tissues from the nightstand and joined her. As I leaned against the headboard, I pulled her to me then handed her a tissue.
She sniffled. “Mr. Furlong tried to call you.”
“My phone died.” I rubbed her arm.
“I knew it was a possibility that Mom wouldn’t get out of jail, but I’m sad. Can we go see her?”
I snapped out of my funk. “Of course. We can go this weekend.”
She wiped her nose with the tissue. “Did you know? Is that why you’ve been crying?”
“I didn’t know.”
The sound of footsteps in the hall filtered into the room before Mrs. Armstrong graced the doorway with her presence, and I breathed a sigh of relief that I didn’t have to tell my sister why I’d been crying.
The Bailey look-alike smiled warmly. “I’m so sorry, Kaylee, that you overheard my conversation with Mr. Furlong.”
“The judge decided my mom’s case,” I said.
“I’m afraid so,” Mrs. Armstrong replied. “Mr. Furlong left you a voicemail. You can call him tomorrow if you need to clarify anything.”
I would like the details, for sure. But it wasn’t urgent.
Mrs. Armstrong held out her hand. “Kaylee, why don’t we get a snack before your bath?”
I kissed my sister. “Go. I have studying to do.”
Kaylee hugged me. “I love you.”
I held back the need to cry. “Love you more.”
“Mom,” Bailey said from the hall, “Dad is looking for you. He just got a call from the hospital, and he needs to go in.”
“That man works too much,” she mumbled as she took Kaylee’s hand.
Bailey came in with her phone in her hand.
“What is it?” I asked, puffing out my cheeks. “You have one of those expressions that the world is burning.”
In my world, it was. But in Bailey’s, she had everything neatly tied into a bow with loving parents, the perfect home, and no worries about money or being pregnant.
“Have you checked your messages?”
“Not yet. My phone is charging. And, hello, I’ve been dealing with a major life crisis.”
Her chest rose. “Lucas was beat up on campus.”
