Chapter 3

I dragged my aching body down the street.

Tears ran into the cuts on my face, and the sting made me shake all over. But I had nowhere to go.

I didn't have any money on me, so I found a park bench and sat there the entire night.

At 3:00 am, Karen called. "Get home now. We need to talk about your situation."

A spark of hope flared in my chest. Had they changed their minds?

If they were willing to help, then I'd tell them the truth and donate my kidney to Melody.

And maybe, if I did that, I'd finally have what Melody had always had. Two families that loved me.

I half-ran the whole way back.

When I walked through the door, everyone was there, both sets of parents, along with a notary.

Before I could say a word, Karen shoved a contract into my hands. "We had a lawyer draw this up. Sign it."

The terms were laid out clearly.

I would make no claim to any of Melody's organs. I would forfeit my right to any inheritance. My treatment costs would be split, with the Fowlers covering 20 percent and the Fosters covering 80 percent.

Dad looked at the contract, annoyed. "Why are we paying 80 percent? It should be 50-50."

Brent slammed his fist on the table. "She's your kid! You should be grateful I'm paying a dime!"

Dad shot back, irritated. "I never wanted to claim her. Melody is my only daughter."

I stood there while they haggled over me like I was a piece of junk at a yard sale. They went back and forth until they finally agreed to add another clause. If treatment costs exceeded 100 thousand dollars, I would be required to voluntarily give up treatment.

Mom looked at me, guilt written all over her face. "I'm sorry, Melanie. If we could afford it, we'd give you everything we had.

"It's just that Melody needs money to study dance abroad, and your brother just started high school. He needs money too. I just don't have it. If it comes down to it, I'll sell my own kidney to pay for your treatment."

Melody immediately rushed over and grabbed her.

She shot me a resentful look. "Melanie, this is on you. Stop putting Mom and Dad in this position."

I almost laughed. I looked her dead in the eyes and asked, slowly and deliberately, "Melody, if it were you, would you sign this contract?"

Melody looked taken aback for a second, then drew herself up.

"Of course! I know how hard things are for Mom and Dad. If I were the one who got sick, I'd throw myself off a roof before I let myself become a burden. I'd never drag them down with me."

Both mothers burst into tears and practically tripped over each other, rushing to hug her.

Brent looked at Melody with pure adoration, then turned to me with disgust. "That's my girl. Not like you, ready to drag everyone else down just because of your own selfishness."

I turned to face all four of my parents. "Then let me put it another way. If Melody were the one who was sick, would you make me give up a kidney?"

Dad answered almost instantly. "Of course not! You're both my daughters, no matter what. What kind of person sacrifices one daughter's life for another's?

"Just because you're rotten doesn't mean everyone else is! Any normal person would be ashamed to even say the things that come out of your mouth!"

I listened, and something inside me settled. I nodded calmly. "Good. I hope you all remember that.

"I'll sign. But I'm adding a clause of my own. From now on, if anything happens to any of you, don't come looking for me."