and smooth down our backs, the same almond-shaped eyes with soft amber pupils, the same smile, the same single dimple on one cheek,

edside table in her room. When I ask why there aren't any of me, she just shrug

never that wide, my stance never that light, never that carefree. " I'm not in any o

meray. What are you talking about? This is you, isn't it? " She holds up

ven there

a, so I told them to go without me, I'd be fine. Mom

o one

lt like noodles and I couldn't m

cared? Mom told me I was being dramat

tight to my chest, my squirrel plushie wi

ven blink. "A

oney," I say with a f

op Mr. Rooney in there, and then it would be

isn't the point. That even if they pasted ten Mr. R

the heart to argu

and then I

to me, who I always felt saw me, bu

ut when Mom and Elena are planning it, I hear them say thi

he surprise I have for yo

one notices. No one says how happy they are that I'm

les. " The one I saw on the shelf at Target, the one you said you'd get me! It has long blond

ll sports car, the kind that makes sounds and has blinking lights. B

u got me the dress-up set too! " She bats

d. " Look how pretty

She's gonna have one lucky guy wra

ad with practiced sass. Our parents laugh again, calling her adorab

sual, trying to be heard over the noise. " It wo

urn. Their ey

voice shrinks t

, sweetheart?

n the courage to repea

now the size of cake

have Barbie and Ken o

now it

miles the kind of smile that says he's proud, the kind of

t ba

give

ou forget your daughter is a twin? How d

ause no one listens, and no one cares. But deep down,

apping, telling her how grown up she looks now that she's ten. I'm just standing

To ask why only Elena's wearing a crown. Why only Elen

nd making clever little comments after every gift she opens. She's got a mountain of presents, way more than me, a

Because those gifts are hers.

t. I drop my eyes and

e noise fades. I go looking fo

ft?" I ask, watching

she mumbles, eyes

le used to be, but Mom already pa

say, voice shaky, the edge o

Ray, I s

ere

here the boxes were. They're gone. Her lips twist

s no

e says with this soft, hopeful smil

didn't get me any gifts,

d something from Mom and Dad meant for me. But there's nothing. Meanwhile, Mom had gifted her an expensive set of brus

makes me th

nce, disappointment thick in her voice. I trail after her like the

ally look

, towel slung over his shoulder. They stare at us for a secon

ay's birthday

e at him, comple

onna hold your hand when I say this, " she starts, s

laughs. " Of cour

s narrow da

into his features. He kneels down in front of me, remorse clear in every inch of his posture. " I'm the worst dad ever.

erable, so utterly forgotten

Sweetheart, you know Dad and I have a lot on our minds. We

t me eat a giant slice of

hat w

y birthda

things is restored. Elena