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“It’s okay. How did you get here?”

“The bus.”

“Did you go to Whiz Kidz today?”

She shook her head. This wasn’t like the Kaylee I knew.

“Why do you look so sad, Kaylee? Tell me.” I brushed a hand down her hair.

“I don’t know,” she pouted, looking at her shoes.

“Yes, you do. You can tell me. Don’t you trust me?” I wiggled my pinky, reminding her of our pinky promise, which I hadn’t broken.

She sighed. “I didn’t realize how sad my life was until I spent time with Aimee and her family. She has parents who love her, who always loved her.” Tears brimmed in her eyes. “I don’t have a family.”

“Yes, youdo. Vivian loves you.”

“But she’s just my guardian. How long will that last?”

Vivian should’ve had the surprise party sooner.

“Maybe I’ll be living with a new guardian next year,” she said, looking like the saddest kid I’d ever met.

“You’re not going anywhere. You’re staying with us. Understand me?” I choked, unsure of how to tell her she was my half-sister. I never imagined having a sibling. But it made sense now. There was a special bond early on between us.

I looked at my dad’s headstone, wondering how he’d feel if he knew he had a daughter.

“I heard you call, but I didn’t pick up. Sorry.”

“Want to talk about what’s bothering you? It’ll help.”

She nodded.

“Let’s talk in the car. It’s getting dark out here. Kinda spooky. If a bony hand creeps through the soil, you’re on your own, kid.” I clasped her hand.

Smiling, she followed me to the car.

Inside the car, Kaylee explained she felt sad because she didn’t get to know her parents as much as she’d have liked. Seeing Aimee’s joyful family questioned her sense of belonging—her identity. Kaylee didn’t even know her father.

I learned that her mom’s name was Angela Leung. Angela never informed my dad about the pregnancy. Her family was also involved in The Triad, but she had moved away from her family to start a new life, just like Vivian’s mom. They had been good friends, which was why Vivian didn’t hesitate to take Kaylee in.

“How long have you been researching about your father?”

“For a while now. But something broke me this week.” She shrugged. “I’m just moody, I guess.”

“What did you want to know about him?” I studied her.

I could see his high cheekbones on her now.

There was so much I could tell her. But I didn’t want to be the jerk to smear the image she had of him. Maybe when she grew up, I’d share my past with her. Perhaps then she’d understand things more.

What she needed right now was love, acceptance, and a place to belong. She belonged with me, just as Vivian belonged with me. One was my sister; the other was the woman I love. Warmth spread all over me. I had gone from a man living alone to having a family member and a woman I couldn’t live without.

“I don’t know,” she said. “I saw a few pictures of him online, but I’m not sure if it was him. Was he a good man? What was his favorite color? Did he have other kids?” She shrugged. “Things like that.”

I stared at her for a while, trying to figure out the best way to share the news with her. Maybe I was overthinking this.

“Wanna know something?”