The one for Amelia

ob beckoned from inside, her voi

ng the last remnants

f visiting her Au

en expectation that they should be close, but Amelia could

undeniable air of eccentricity. She insisted on being in her "prime

she had turned down each one with an al

constant company of her dog and cat-Fluffy, the cat, was particularly p

be like to have a cousin to confide in, or e

se," Amelia grumbled under her breath, flicking imaginary dust from her dress, though she kne

led back as Mrs. Job's vo

t home before dark. Mrs. Job stepped out of the house, her tote bag slung over her shou

cat that seemed to be overfed and more content in h

" Amelia couldn't help muttering under her breath, ro

a gentle look. "

apology. Aunt Becca's insistence on treating the cat l

er seatbelt. Amelia followed her, slipping into the back. She wasn't sur

aloofness, followed them to the car, Fluffy st

her phone in hand, though she wasn't lo

and they were already running behind schedule. Amelia hated how long it

growing darker as evening descended. The city's lights flickered an

silence, though she wasn't sure wh

e rearview mirror, already knowing where

all these years?" Amelia asked, her voice t

There are things you shouldn't bother yourself with, especially other people's private lives

r mind. "But... why does she always push peo

arly elsewhere. When she spoke again, her voice was softer. "Everyone has their own path, Ame

hifted in her seat, still unconvinced. "But can't she adopt? I mean, there are peopl

erstand about staying out of other people's business? I know you're curious, but sometimes there are

to get an answer to her question. But something about Aunt Becca's choice to s

time turning the conversation away from the subject of

ing indifferent about the subject, just shot her mom a side glance and returned to h

Mrs. Job said, her voice c

ing in. She wanted to tell her mom she didn't feel like talking, that she wasn't sure what was

tires against the asphalt the only sound a

average Americans with ordinary lives. A place where the most dramatic thing that might happen on any g

d into their driveway, and Amelia felt a

iliar layout, the smells of their kitchen, and th

at didn't require her to question or understand the dec

at their house-a well-kept, quiet home where everything was in its place.

t resolve that maybe one day, she would come to understand what made people like Aunt Be