***
As we step inside, the Callahans rise to their feet, their presence still warm but respectful of the moment.
Mr. Callahan's gaze lingers on Izzy with a mix of pride and understanding.
"We’ll give you some space," he says softly. "It’s important you two have time to talk."
Mrs. Callahan gives Izzy a gentle smile, her eyes brimming with love. "Give us a call when you're ready, and we'll come back to pick you up."
"I can take her home," I offer.
"That'll be fine," Mr. Callahan says. "Stay as long as you want."
"Thank you," I say, offering them a grateful smile as they begin to walk away.
Once the door clicks shut behind them, we hear Tina’s footsteps coming down the stairs.
“Who’s that?” Izzy asks.
“Izzy,” I begin when we see Tina, “Sorry, I meant Beth. This is my best friend, Tina.”
“Hi, Beth,” Tina says, going in for a hug when Izzy offers her hand. "I'm more like a sister, so that makes you and me like sisters too.”
“I like that!” Izzy exclaims, a big smile forming on her lips.
"I’m going for a run," Tina announces. "Beth, it was nice meeting you. I’ll be back in an hour."
Izzy and I exchange a glance as Tina leaves.
"Where should we begin?" I ask, pulling Izzy onto the couch.
She tucks her legs under her and leans back, as if preparing to share her life with me.
"Tell me everything," I say. "I want to know all about the Callahans—what it was like growing up with them."
"In that case," Izzy says with a chuckle, "get ready, it’s gonna be a crazy ride."
Chapter 12
Cal
From my front porch, I watch my parents pull out of Elle's driveway, followed by Tina, who heads toward the running trail across the road. That leaves Beth and Elle alone in the house.
I consider catching up to Tina, asking her to convince Elle to talk to me. But I quickly remind myself—Tina is Elle’s friend, not mine. Her loyalty lies with her.
Still, I’m an idiot, so I take off after her until I’m jogging at her side.
“Well, if it isn’t good cop, bad cop."
“Tina, I was doing my job.”
“You destroyed her life,” she snaps, stopping short to face me. “You weren’t there the nights she woke up shaking, drenched in sweat, after the same nightmare she’s had for years—the one where her sister is ripped from her arms.”
“She doesn’thave the whole story,” I say in my defense.
"Let me see,” she begins, tapping her finger against her lips. “She told you she was going to see her grandfather. You could’ve let her go—but you didn’t. Instead, you took the only family she had and left her to rot in that group home. And then, to top it off, you took Izzy and raised her as your own. That sounds a lot like abduction to me. Did I miss anything?”
“It wasn’t like that, and you know it. If she’d only let me explain—”
