Mom and Dad got custody of Audrey today. We're having a barbecue. All of us are so happy. It's also four months since the twins were born. Luke and I have had lots of sex. That day Luke left for hours he was actually out getting me a car.
Audrey and I don't really talk much. When I found my family Madison and I clicked. Dakota and I clicked too, but I'm struggling to get Audrey to open up. There's something she isn't telling me. I look at her. She's staring at her phone with tears in her eyes.
She's purposely avoiding everyone.
I walk over to her.
"Why are you crying?" I ask.
"I'm not." She says, and then tears start to fall down her cheeks. She hands me her phone.
I look down at it. She has a ton of tests from an unknown number.
Unknown: ur so ugly
Unknown: I hate u
Unknown: kill urself
Unknown: I'm gonna rape u
Unknown: I want u 2 die
I shake my head and pull her into a hug. She hides her face in my shoulder and sobs.
"You're switching schools. Fuck them. Let them be assholes. You are beautiful and talented and wonderful, and I'm not just saying that because I'm your sister."
She takes a deep breath.
"This didn't start until the custody battle." She whispers. "Don't tell Mom and Dad but I think it's my adopted parents. They're abusive."
"So were mine." I hug her again. "Want me to find out for you?"
"Please." She whispers.
"Alright. Cheer up and have a good day. Don't let these fucks bring you down." I brush away some of her tears.
She smiles. "Thank you. For helping me."
"I'll help you with anything. I know it may not seem like it, but I love you, kid."
"I love you too." She walks off the deck and joins everyone in the pool.
"Don't go wifey!" Luke screams and picks me up by the waist.
He heads towards the pool. I'm in my bathing suit.
"Luke, Audrey is being bullied and she thinks it's by her adopted family and I need to take care of it. Don't throw me in and don't tell anyone."
He sets me down.
"Is she okay?"
"I don't know." I kiss him. Everyone whistles.
I blush wildly and scurry away before Luke can made a sexual comment.
"Aww, you're all red!" he calls after me. And then he starts to sing. "Baby come back! You can blame it all on me!"
I turn around.
"I was wrong! And I just can't live without you!"
his arms are open wide and he sounds horrible.
I laugh and walk into the house.
He raises his voice.
"All day long, wearing a mask of false bravado! Trying to keep up the smile that hides a tear! But as the sun goes down! I get that empty feeling again! How I wish to God that you were here!"
I'm laughing as I dial Snyder.
I see Madison jump out of the pool and start recording.
"Baby come back, any kind of fool could see! There was something in everything about you! Baby come back, you can blame it all on me! I was wrong, and I just can't live without you!"
