Chapter 3

On Saturday afternoon, Dad's cousin, Lydia Grant, stopped by with some local specialties from her hometown.

She sat on the couch and looked around. "Where's Alice? She's usually the first to come running when I visit. Why haven't I seen her today? I even brought her favorite pastries."

Dad smiled as he poured her some tea.

"Alice's a little tired from the road trip, so she's catching up on sleep in her room. She loves to sleep in. She has to get up earlier for school, so we let her sleep a little longer on weekends."

Lydia nodded approvingly. "You two have worked so hard to raise both kids so well. They're both healthy and well-fed. So many people envy you for having such a wonderful family."

Daphne took Lydia's hand and acted sweetly. "Aunt Lydia, these pastries smell so good! I'll share them with Alice."

Then she turned to Mom and said, "Mom, I want to draw a picture for Aunt Lydia, but I'm missing a color in my art set. Can I borrow the colored markers on Alice's desk?"

Mom set down the kettle. "Go ahead. Just put them back where they belong when you're done. Otherwise, Alice will throw a fit again when she comes out."

Mom walked to my bedroom and opened the door. A foul smell drifted out of the room.

"This brat never keeps things clean. She must have brought leftover food into her room again and let it go moldy.

"When she wakes up, I'm going to lay down some rules. What kind of kid lets their room stink like this? Who'd accept her behavior?"

With her back to the bed the whole time, Mom kept her eyes on the desk, grabbed the box of markers, and quickly backed out. Then she shut and locked the door again.

Hearing the noise from the living room, Lydia sighed.

"Kids these days are so headstrong. Parenting is hard. You can't be too harsh with them, but they won't listen if you're too gentle, either.

"Daphne looks much better than she used to. Has her heart condition improved?"

Mom returned to the couch and sighed. "It's still the same. She can't handle the slightest upset. We don't even dare raise our voices around her."

Lydia continued, "Alice is strong and healthy. When you and Robert get older, you'll have to count on her to look after Daphne.

"Alice is a little stubborn, but that will help her stand up for herself in the real world."

Mom scoffed. "Stand up for herself? Alice is just selfish. All she cares about is herself and never gives a damn about her family.

"Daphne was so carsick two days ago that she nearly ended up in the hospital. And what did Alice do? She pretended to be asleep in the car just to make things difficult for us.

"Alice is always competing with Daphne. As parents, we have to be patient with her. As long as she doesn't go too far, we'll let things slide."

My spirit hovered near the ceiling, and I curled my lip in disdain.

"Mom, you really are clueless. I don't even need to breathe or have a heartbeat anymore. I've achieved zero energy consumption. How could Daphne ever compete with me?"

-

On the third day, the foul smell in the hallway grew stronger.

Dad stood outside my door and said, "Alice, don't smear your own waste all over the floor just to get back at us! All you're doing is making us dislike you even more.

"Get out here and clean your room right now. Don't test my patience!"

My maternal grandma, Melinda Hunt, suddenly called on video.

The phone screen lit up, and Grandma's voice came through.

"I didn't get to see you all over the holidays. Let me see how much Alice has grown. Where is she?"

Mom and Dad immediately put on cheerful smiles for the camera.

Mom replied gently, "Mom, Alice is in her room. She's tired from all the fun she's had these past few days, so she's been pretty moody."

Dad took the phone and walked over to my room, calling my name as he went.

"Alice, open the door. Your grandma wants to see you. Stop sleeping in. It's already late!"

I floated in midair, feeling thrilled.

Open the door, Dad! I can't wait for Grandma to see my one-of-a-kind purplish-black skin.

I bet it's way cooler than Daphne's!