Page 11 of My Twin Sister

Grace takes a step toward the house but looks back to Carter. “Do you think you can show me around so I don’t get lost?”

Carter nods and wiggles out of my arms until he slides to the ground. He runs ahead of us and up the front steps. “Right this way!”

Grace laughs. I smile and follow them onto the porch. Jack gathers the baseball and their mitts from the yard and joins us.

“You must be Jack,” Grace says.

He nods. “Nice to meet you, Aunt Grace.”

His shy politeness warms my heart. He’s always been such a good kid. I remind myself he’s no longer a kid. He’s all grown up. I put a hand on his back and notice his eyes are a little swollen, a sure sign he’s been crying. I fight the urge to pull him into me like I did when he was smaller. He’d only get embarrassed now and insist he’s fine.

He was close with his grandpa. He broke down when we told him the horrible news. We didn’t tell him the details, but it’s a small town. People talk. He’s been even quieter than usual the last few days. And now all this with Grace. I’m nervous it’s too much for him. I know it is for me.

“Jack, did you take the chicken out earlier like Mom asked you—” Wyatt shouts as he walks outside, not realizing we’re all on the porch. He stops when he sees us. His coffee mug slips from his hand and crashes onto the wood planks beneath our feet when his eyes land on Grace.

Eleven: Grace

Coffee splatters across my boots, and Carter shouts when the cup hits the porch.

“Oh God. I’m sorry. Shit.” Wyatt picks up his cup, still holding the screen door open with his other hand. “Just a second. Let me get some towels.”

He stumbles back into the house. The creaky screen door slams behind him.

“Daaaad,” Carter whines. “You made a huge mess!”

Wyatt reappears with several dish towels in his hands. “I know, bud. My cup slipped out of my hands. Did you get burned?”

Carter shakes his head. “Nope.”

Wyatt crouches down and starts patting the wood dry, then he’s pressing the fabric onto my shoes. I take a step back. “Oh, don’t worry,” I say. “I’ll clean them.”

I reach for a towel and he hands me one, his face red. “Sorry.”

“Mom, it’s all on your dress!” Carter shouts. He points at the brown splatters on the blush pink fabric.

“Sorry, Gen,” Wyatt says. He can’t seem to stop apologizing.

“It’s fine,” she says.

“You have to change to a clean one, right Mom?” Carter says like he’s reciting a correct answer.

“Uh—” Geny examines her dress again. “No, it’s fine. I’ll change in a bit.”

Wyatt pushes the door open and steps inside. “Come on in.”

I hold my breath and step into their home, their children following behind me. My eyes move around the room, taking everything in. I stand in the small foyer. There’s a wall on my left, a hallway straight ahead that leads to a set of stairs, and the living room to the right. The living room is painted a soft blue and trimmed with dark stained wood. There’s mismatched furniture and a rocking chair I recognize as the one my mother used to knit in. There’s a fireplace with a few boxes stacked on the hearth. It doesn’t look like a fire has been lit in a long time. The small round end tables are covered with papers and books.

“Sorry about the mess. Things have been a little much lately,” Geny says. “And I wasn’t expecting company.” She huffs out a small awkward laugh.

“Don’t apologize.” I scan more of the house.

The house is older. Not the open concept type that’s become popular over the years. Each room is separated, so I can’t see much else. I glance at the photos framed on the wall. Pictures of the boys when they were younger. A wedding photo of Wyatt and Geny. I look back at my sister.

“So,” I say. “What now?”

She breathes out another small laugh. “How should I know? I’ve never had my sister come back to life on a random afternoon.”

It wasn’t random. But I smile anyway. Geny rarely used to make light of anything, so it’s nice to see. But just as fast, she’s back in serious mode. “Boys, why don’t you show Aunt Grace around. I’m just going to talk to your dad for a minute, and we’ll be right back.”