“Thank you,” Paula says again to her, ignoring my comment about Dad. She turns to me. “Your real grandmother can’t wait to see you again. The whole family is chomping at the bit to throw a big welcome-back party for you.”

“That sounds wonderful,” I reply with fake enthusiasm. This is it. This is the moment I need to start buttering her up. To start the plan in place that will let me hold on to a glimmer of my real life. “I’m looking forward to meeting them. Did you bring pictures?”

This excites her. She takes out a huge photo album and starts flipping through the photos. I try to remember all the names and ask the right questions. But it’s surreal to see these faces and know that somehow, in a different life, I belonged to them.

“And this is Sarah.” Paula points to a picture of a maybe-ten-year-old girl with curly brown hair and dark brown eyes. “She’s your sister.”

“Half sister,” Craig clarifies.

“I have a sister,” I say in a near whisper.

“Yes. She wanted to come, but we thought it would overwhelm you. You’ll see her soon enough.”

And there it is again. This automatic assumption that I’ll be with her in Florida. And “soon.”

“I can’t wait,” I lie. “We were actually talking.” I nod to Sheriff Gleason and Grandma Gleason, who both straighten up in their seats, getting ready for their parts. “Christmas is in a couple weeks, and I thought I’d come down for the break. Then we have a long weekend for Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January, and winter break in March. I’d love to come stay with you then, if that’s okay.”

Paula and Craig exchange a look.

Shit. This can’t be good.

“Oh.” Paula’s bottom lip starts to quiver. “But I’ve missed so much already.”

“And we have plenty of time to catch up,” I reply cheerfully, hoping it will stop her from crying. “We have years and years.”

I don’t want to hurt her. I really don’t. But I can’t just up and leave my entire life. It’s going to be hard enough to continue without Dad, but at least I’ll have the Gleasons.

“We are happy to have Ally stay with our family through her senior year,” Sheriff Gleason says on cue. “She’s been doing so well in school, it would be a shame to take her out when she only has a few months left until graduation.”

“And, of course, we would like to invite your entire family up for her graduation,” Grandma Gleason chimes in with a warm smile. “We’ll have a big family party—the Gleasons and the Linsleys.”

“It’s McMullen now,” Paula states. “My last name is McMullen. My maiden name is Cardiff.”

“Well, whatever name, we’re happy to have you.” Grandma Gleason piles on the charm.