Page 115 of Bad Intentions

“So, I had an interesting conversation with Grams the other night,” I tell Rika as I’m limping toward Grandma’s car. Grams insisted on driving. I told her it’s my left foot that’s hurt, not the right one, to which she replied that she might be old, but she has both feet functioning properly.

“What’s up?” Rika asks.

“About the DNA tests they ran.”

“What about them?”

I haven’t been so nervous in a while. In a good way, that is. Grams said that both Rika and Mrs. Snickett knew about the DNA match. But Rika never said anything to me.

“That we are…” I need to say the word, but it’s scary and at the same time exciting, making my chest burn. “You know. That guy, Derek…”

Rika looks at me. “Yeah? Spit it out, Boots. What is it?”

“Well, that he is our father. Both yours and mine.”

My heart does a cartwheel, and stupid tears burn my eyes, even though I’m not sad. Not at all. In fact, it’s the exact opposite.

“Yeah, crazy.” Rika nods with a sneaky smile.

“So…” I don’t know if she’s glad or annoyed. I can’t tell. Maybe she’s avoiding this topic.

“So?”

“That means…”

“That means what, Boots? Come on. What’s up?”

“That means we are half sisters.”

I say the words, and right away bite my lip. I’m so overwhelmed that my heart seems to be kicking through my ribs.

“No shit, Sherlock.” Rika chuckles. I feel her arm around my shoulder as she finally puts me out of my misery. “Jeez, Boots, it took you forever to muster the courage. Yeah, we are sisters.”

Sisters, she says. Not half sisters, but sisters. Somehow, that makes me want to sing at the top of my lungs, even though I’m hardly able to hold back tears.

“But you knew it?” I ask, meeting her eyes. “Why didn’t you say something right away?”

She sees I’m about to turn into a puddle, and her expression softens. “You weren’t really curious about your dad.”

“I was, too.”

“No, you weren’t, Boots.”

“Whatever. But you knew I moved back into town two months ago.”

“Yeah, so I watched you.”

“And?”

“And what?”

“You are a stalker.” I laugh and sniffle.

“Yep. That’s me. Crazy genes and all.”

“You didn’t seem very friendly at first.”

“I was trying to be careful. I mean, your dad was a scammer and a womanizer. Who knew what you were like?”