For whatever reason, Grandpa’s words don’t have the same effect on me. Mainly, I’m filled with a sense of guilt and frustration. He wanted his “tasks” to bring us together, but he should have known it’s a hopeless cause. Not only does the divide between our mothers run too deep, but K. J. and I are complete opposites in every way. If we were the only two people stuck on an island and our survival depended on us being friends, I have a feeling we’d both die.
I fold the letter up, slide it back into the envelope, and lay it on the table. K. J. stares at it for a moment and then picks it up again.
“Can I keep it?” she asks.
I shrug. “Suit yourself.”
A waiter sets a plate with grilled chicken, corn, and mashed potatoes before each of us. I wasn’t planning on eating at this table, but I guess I’ll stay put. K. J. and I both scroll through our phones as we eat. I check all the Instagram posts I’ve missed during the trip into the canyon and then text a selfie of me on my mule, as well as a few pics of Phantom Ranch, to my mom and Lexi. After a while, K. J. mumbles something about going to the bathroom and disappears. She doesn’t return, so I just head back toward our lodge on my own. Task number one complete and only four more to go. The thought doesn’t bring me any relief at all.
Monday morning, I can barely drag myself out of bed. Between Mom’s endless questioning last night, the time change, and my exhausting weekend, it’s really no surprise. As I sit in first hour, trying to keep my eyes open, the thought of another two-hour practice after school is almost too much to bear. But we ended up making state championships, and Coach expects everyone to be on top of their game. There’s no way I can miss practice.
By lunchtime, I’ve managed to perk up a little. It helps that I get to tell my friends all about my horrific weekend at the Grand Canyon. I describe the terrifying mule ride and every appalling encounter with K. J., hoping they’ll feel at least a little sorry for me.
Maddie’s brow wrinkles with disgust as she finishes off her apple. “She sounds like a real bitch, if you ask me.”
I don’t know if that’s the right word for my cousin, but she’s definitely rude. “She’s really weird. And I’m pretty sure she was high the day we left. Probably had to get one last hit since she couldn’t smuggle her drugs onto the plane.”
Lexi frowns. “Wow, what a loser.”
“Yeah, tell me about it,” I say. “I can’t believe we’re actually related.”
“I’m really sorry,” Maddie says, offering a tentative smile, “but at least you’ll be getting something from all of this. Gotta think of the positives, right?”
True, but I’d give up the money in a heartbeat if it meant not having to spend one more minute with K. J. I’m only doing it so Mom can get her share.
“So what’s your aunt like?” Maddie asks as we go to dump our trash. “Since K. J. seems so awful.”
Everything my mom has ever said about Jackie floods into my mind, but I consider my words carefully. “She’s worse than her daughter,” I say, keeping my eyes trained on the floor. “She and my mom haven’t really spoken in years. Until this whole ordeal, at least.” And even then, I wouldn’t exactly call it “speaking to one another.” It certainly wasn’t by choice. I’ve never told anyone the full truth about things, and Lexi has always been too polite to ask for details. My cheeks grow warm and I clear my throat. “It’s a complicated situation,” I explain. “I’ll have to tell you about it another time.”
“Oh, okay, sure,” Maddie says.
I can tell I’ve piqued her curiosity, though.
Outside of the cafeteria, Maddie goes one way while Lexi and I head toward English, our one and only class together. Lexi doesn’t say a word, and I pretend to be interested in the artwork hanging along the hallway. After a quick stop by our lockers, we continue toward class.
“So did you finish your essay?” she asks.
“Yeah, on the plane last night.” A small amount of relief settles over me as I realize Lexi’s not going to pry. “How about you?” The question is really just a formality. Lexi would never not finish an assignment.
“I didn’t think I was ever going to get it done,” she says with a groan. “So glad that’s the last one of the year.”
“No kidding. I’m all essayed out.”
We enter the classroom and take our seats on opposite sides of the room. I’m fairly confident Lexi won’t be a problem, but Maddie, I’m not so sure about. Looks like I’ll have to avoid her at soccer practice today. But even if that proves impossible, I at least have several hours to come up with an alternative story—one which wouldn’t lead someone to question if they should even be friends with me in the first place.
I’m too distracted to pay much attention to Mr. Sperry, who’s already lecturing about some poem by William Yeats. I really hate my aunt for getting me into this whole mess. And since K. J.’s her daughter, I have no choice but to hate her, too.
“Why are we going to Grandpa’s?” I ask, glancing over at Mom. She puts on her turn signal and pulls out of our neighborhood. Tim’s working late tonight, so she suggested we go out to eat. It was only after we got into the Jeep that she mentioned stopping by Grandpa’s house on the way.
“Mr. Sisco said I was free to get pictures and other personal items before the auction. I’ve
