“Relax, Phoebe,” I muttered to myself. “June-bug will be fine.”
That afternoon, the front door burst open before I could even put the sponge down.
Junie ran in, flushed and breathless, her backpack half unzipped.
“Mom! Tomorrow you have to pack one more lunchbox!”
I blinked. “One more? Why, sweetheart? Didn’t I pack enough?”
She rolled her eyes like I should already understand.
“For my sister.”
A chill ran through me.
“Your… sister? Honey, you know you’re my only girl.”
Junie shook her head stubbornly.
“No, Mom. I’m not. I met my sister today. Her name’s Lizzy.”
I forced myself to stay calm. “Lizzy? Is she new?”
“Yes! She sits right next to me! And she looks like me—exactly like me. Just her hair is parted on the other side.”
My stomach tightened.
“What does she like for lunch?” I asked quietly.
“She said peanut butter and jelly. But she’s never had it at school before. She said she liked yours better because you use more jelly.”
I swallowed hard.
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