"Who is it?" I ask, barely breathing.
“It’s Cal’s mom and dad,” she says. “Well… they’re here as Beth’s parents. They want to speak with you.”
“Is Izzy… Beth, with them?”
Tina shakes her head. “No. She’s not.”
“Of course she’s not,” I murmur. “What was I thinking?”
“They’re trying to protect her?” Tina says, more question than statement.
“They don’t need to protect her from me,” I snap, already moving for the door.
***
The Callahans are sitting on the couch, but as soon as they see me, they rise to their feet.
“Hi,” I say, offering my hand. “Mr. and Mrs. Callahan.”
"Oh my gosh," Mrs. Callahan whispers. "You look just like Beth."
Mr. Callahan chuckles, a little uneasy. "Actually, it’s Beth who looks just like you."
"Please, have a seat," I say, gesturing to the couch. "Can I get you something to drink? Coffee? Water?"
"No, we're fine. Thank you," Mrs. Callahan replies politely.
I nod and take a seat across from them on the loveseat.
“We’re here to talk about Beth,” Mr. Callahan says, offering me a tentative smile.
“I’m not giving up my right to see her or be part of her life,” I say, my tone sharper than I intend.
“Elle,” Mr. Callahan begins gently, “we never intended to keep you two apart.”
I let out a bitter laugh. “You kept her from me for four years.”
“Is that what you think?” Mrs. Callahan asks, her voice calm.
“That’s what Iknow,” I snap. “A closed adoption? What did you think would happen? You never let me see her.”
“We were told you needed to attend anger management and therapy to cope with… everything,” she says carefully.
I shake my head, the disbelief rising like a wave. “I can’t believe this.”
"Elle, I think there’s been a misunderstanding," Mrs. Callahan says. "Something got lost in translation, because we—"
I stand. "I want to see my sister," I cut in sharply, unwilling to let her finish.
Mr. Callahan gives a quiet nod. “Okay. She’s waiting outside.”
“She’s here?” The words barely leave my lips. Shock knocks the wind out of me.
And just like that, I’m acutely aware of everything—my red, swollen eyes, my tangled hair, the clothes I slept in. I look like exactly what they were warned about. Unhinged. Dangerous. The unstable girl with something to prove.
I take a breath, but it doesn’t help. It doesn’t reach the place where I need it most. And then, it happens. The tears I’ve been holding back break loose, one after the other.
“Oh, sweetheart,” Mrs. Callahan murmurs. “Elle, we are so sorry.”
