“Haven’t seen you around in a good while, Brock. You haven’t found your brother, have you?” Shane talks to the one he called Booker for a few minutes as I look over the scene and the people around. There are some who are definitely high on drugs of some kind, and there are some that look to be talking to people that only exist in their minds. Then there are two by the fire that this Booker just left that look completely out of place here, but also look really familiar. I wait till there’s a break in the conversation.
I look at Booker as Shane hands him a couple of the bags.
“Are those two usually here? They look young, but I swear they look familiar too.”
Booker looks at me to answer and his eyes get big.
“Yeah, they’re young but legal adults. They’re just down on their luck so me and George over there told them to stay near us so they don’t find themselves in trouble. Say, you got any more burgers you can spare for them? I know they’ll both be hungry.”
Shane tells them yes and while Booker goes to get the girls, he looks over at me.
“Do you think you might know them, gorgeous?” I shrug my shoulders.
“I don’t know what it is. I just feel like they look like I should know them or somethin’.”
Booker must convince them ’cause both of them start walking over to us. When they get close, both of them take off the hoods of their hoodies. I hear Shane suck in a breath.
“Holy shit.” He looks at me and looks back at them. He moves slightly so I can see them and it’s like I’m looking at myself from ten years ago. I can see their eyes get big when they see me.
“What are your names?”
The one who is closest to the SUV speaks. “I’m Shandy and this is my twin sister Brandy. We’re nineteen. We aged out of the system last year and just haven’t been able to financially get things in order. We had a car but when we were at work one day, it was impounded. We couldn’t afford to get it out. We’re working to get a down payment saved for an apartment, but with no credit history, it’s not easy.”
Shane speaks up with a good question I hadn’t thought of just yet. Pregnancy brain is real, people.
“Were you ever foster kids at the Weston house? It’s about three or so hours south of here.” When he said Weston, their eyes got big. Oh.Ohhhh.
“Who’s your dad? I mean, your biological dad?”
This time Brandy speaks up, but she doesn’t take her eyes off mine.
“We never knew him, but when we aged out, we were given our birth certificates. They listed our father’s name as Abel Weston.”Holy Shit.
Shane speaks when I can’t seem to.
“Fuck me. Gorgeous, isn’t that your bio father’s name? Pa’s brother?”
Booker stops eating his burger as he’s listens in to what I think we’re all coming to realize. He keeps looking at me and back at the twins.Shit. Focus,Kierstie. These two are most likely my biological half-sisters.
“My biological father was Abel Weston, too. Did you look into him?”
Shandy speaks up this time from under her blue hoodie she put back on her head.
“Yeah, we can see he was already back in prison when we were born. He got out here and there, but always ended up going back. Last I looked, he was out, but I couldn’t find any more information. Our mom died when we were six, so we were never able to really ask her about him. Our grandma only knew that they only dated briefly before she got pregnant.”
“We need to get you two off the street. My ma and pa who adopted me are biologically your aunt and uncle. Between us and all my siblings, we can offer you jobs and help get you on your feet. Plus, we can get to know each other, which I would love. You don’t have to come, but we can get you some place warm and help you out.” I realized I just said all this without checking with Shane or letting Ma and Pa know.
Brandy speaks up. “Do you mind if I talk to my sister for a few minutes to decide?”
Shane answers her. “Sure, sweetheart. Also know this ain’t a onetime offer. If you decide not to come this time but change your mind, that’s okay too. We can always give you our numbers.” They both walk away to talk, and Booker grabs another couple of bags and heads over to the fire. I look at Shane and ask him the first question on my mind.
“Did I overstep? Are you okay if they say yes to taking them back with us?” Shane grabs my hand and shakes it to stop me from rambling.
“Gorgeous, theyhaveto be related to you. You three look like triplets. I mean, you’re in a league above them, but that’s probably because I’m hopelessly in love with you. But, no, you didn’t overstep. They’re family. Enough said. However, you best call Ma and Pa. I love you, woman, but I really don’t wanna experience how Ma’s lefse stick feels.” Laughing at his fear of her stick, I grab my phone and make a call. Ma answers on the second ring and I put it on speaker.
“My girl, did your husband not come home and have a conversation with you? Do I need to come over there?” Seeing Shane’s eyes get big at that almost threat makes me snicker.
“No, he’s a man of his word. We’re actually up where he looks for Tyson now. That’s why I’m calling you.”
