Alice

“How are you doing in your new apartment, sweetheart?” Mom asked carefully as she walked closer to me. I was at the condo she shares with my stepfather. Whenever I don’t have classes or work at Lance’s company, they ask me to stay here, especially on weekends like this. It’s quiet, comfortable, and it smells like home.

“Just tell me if you’re having a hard time, okay? You can always stay here,” she added, her voice gentle, laced with concern.

I laughed before I could stop myself. “Then how am I supposed to get a sibling if I live here?” I joked—though there was a bit of truth in...