Stephanie went back to the lunch table.
"Hey Steph, are you sure you are okay, you look a little pale." Gia asked concerned.
"Yeah, I am fine. Don't worry. I think I just had some bad food." She lied.
The rest of the day seemed to drag for Stephanie. She couldn't concentrate on her work, all she could think about was how to keep Chelsea away from her.
**************************************************************************** ********
Michelle walked into the living room seeing her uncle with his guitar. "Hi Uncle Jesse, what's up?"
"Hey Shorty. I am trying to come up with lyrics for the song."
"Still?"
"Well, I have a few lines down. You know what the theme of the song is right?"
"Yeah, and it makes me sad."
"I know. I am sorry. I am sad about this whole thing too."
"Not as much as me. I want to meet her so bad. Stephanie and I are such opposites. She doesn't want to meet her at all, and I do. Why is that?" Michelle wondered.
"I think Stephanie feels betrayed, and jealous. I think you handle situations like these better than Stephanie. You are more forgiving and understanding to your dad. Also, you want to meet Chelsea because you think it would be fun to have someone else to look up to and you also want to see what she is like. With Stephanie she feels if she meets her things will be different in her life, she is afraid of change, and afraid she will be ignored. Do you understand?"
"I think so. She basically feels let down by the family and on also scared that if we meet Chelsea she will feel even more misplaced?"
"You got it."
"Thanks Uncle Jesse. I have to go to my Honeybee meeting now. Good luck on your song!" A horn honked outside and Michelle exited the house.
"I am going to divide you into groups of two for this project." Mrs. Sulfer explained to the class the next day. "I have already picked the groups." The class groaned. "That is too bad. Last time I let you all pick half the class failed. Okay, Gia you and Stephanie" The girls smiled at each other. "are not working together. Gia you are with Mary, and Stephanie you are with, hmm, how about Claire."
Stephanie felt her heart sink. She wanted to cry, but knew she couldn't. She was going to keep this a secret no matter what she had to do.
"So Stephanie!" A perky voice called from behind her as she walked to her locker. "How about we get together at your house?"
"Well, I would but my house is a mess right now. You wouldn't want to come there. " Stephanie lied. How about we go to yours?"
"We can't. My parents are out of town, and my grandmother will not let me have anyone over. So I guess we will have to go to your house."
"Yeah I guess." Stephanie cringed.
**************************************************************************** ********
"Your house isn't messy at all! I think this is the cleanest house I have ever seen." Chelsea stated.
"I guess my dad decided to clean up for once."
"What are you talking about?" A voice came from behind the kitchen counter. "Dad is always cleaning up."
"Michelle, leave us alone."
Chelsea stood up for Michelle. "Aw, don't be so mean to your sister. I wish I had a sister."
"If you only knew." Stephanie mumbled.
Chelsea walked over to Michelle. "Hi, my name is Chelsea. I am assuming your name is Michelle."
"Wow, your name is Chelsea? That is odd, Stephanie and I just found out that we have..." Stephanie butted in. "Uh, Chelsea look at the time. We better start our project before it gets to late."
**************************************************************************** ********
"D.J.! D.J.! "Michelle screamed as she ran up to her sister's room.
"What Michelle. Is everything okay?"
"D.J. guess what? Stephanie has a new friend and her name is Chelsea! I think it is our long lost sister!"
"Michelle, that doesn't mean a thing."
"No, D.J., it is more than that. Like she acts like you and Stephanie. I mean in the way she walks and stuff. How about we invite her over for dinner and investigate!"
"Michelle, that is dumb. What if it isn't her?"
"What if it is?"
"Fine. We will make a deal okay? We will ask her to stay for dinner and try to find out some stuff. If it isn't her, which it probably isn't, than no more talk about our sister. Okay?"
"Okay!"
"Oh, and let me do the asking. You can't act to obvious, okay?"
"Duh!" Michelle rolled her eyes.
"Michelle, don't be so rude."
D.J. left the room and went into Stephanie and Michelle's room.
D.J. put out her hand. "Hey! I am D.J. are you Stephanie's new friend?"
"I think so. It is nice to meet you. I am Chelsea."
"Our Dad is making one of his famous dishes for dinner, would you like to stay and eat with us?" D.J. asked.
Stephanie answered for her. "Oh, I am sure Chelsea would like to eat at her own home. Wouldn't you Chelsea?"
"Actually, I would very much like to stay, but I need to call my grandma first." "Okay, well talk to you later!" D.J. left the room. Stephanie knows something. She was acting strange while I was in there. Michelle was right, this girl does have some similar traits. I can't tell Michelle that though, at least not yet. There is going to be some definite questions going on at dinner tonight.
"I won't eat this!" Nicky yelled as he threw his plate on the floor.
"Me either!" Alex mimicked his brother and threw his plate on the floor too.
"Nicholas, and Alexander! I thought I told you boys to behave at dinner. We have company. I want you boys to clean up that mess. Apologize now and no dessert." Becky sternly said to her twins.
"We are sorry." The boys said in unison.
"Jesse, was I too mean?" Becky asked.
"No, I think you were fair with them. They need to learn manners." Jesse reassured.
D.J. tried to change the conversation. "Well, now let's not ignore our company."
Stephanie sensed her sister knew something was up. D.J. is never that interested in my friends. Hmm, she knows I know something.
"So, Chelsea, do you have any siblings?" Danny asked.
"Well, I have a brother. Not biologically though. For awhile my parents couldn't have kids, so they adopted me and then a few years later they were able to have my brother."
"Do you know anything about your birth parents? I don't mean to pry, but I find this stuff interesting" D.J. tried to ask casually without anyone suspecting that she herself was suspicious.
"All I know is that they were a nice couple who loved me but couldn't afford to keep me. I think they had another daughter though. I know it sounds bad, but really they wanted me to have a good life and didn't want me or the other girl not to be able to have nice things. I know they live in San Francisco, and I really would like to meet them.
Stephanie started to sweat. Danny noticed her discomfort. "Stephanie, may I have a word with you and D.J. in the living room?
They walked into the living room.
"Stephanie, what is going on here?" Danny wanted to know.
"Well, this girl seems very similar to your daughter, but she probably isn't. What are the odds?"
"Stephanie," Danny's voice raised. "Did you go looking for this girl after I told you all not to? Tell me everything you know. "
Stephanie started to cry. "Dad, she came to my class yesterday as a new student. As she introduced herself I realized she might be who I thought she was. At lunch Gia asked her some questions, and they all matched to what we know about our sister. I didn't tell anyone because I don't want her to be a part of our life. Then today our teacher assigned us to do a project together. That is what happened, I promise."
Danny was speechless. "D.J. were you in on this?"
"No, Dad. When she came over today Michelle said she thought this might be the Chelsea we know of, and I didn't believe her, but when I met this girl I knew Michelle might be right.
"Wow, this is weird. We are going to go into the kitchen and tell Chelsea." Danny told them.
"Um, Dad, I think I will stay out here. I need to think for a few minutes." Stephanie said.
Everyone that was left at the kitchen table was silent. They were all suspicious, except for Chelsea, who had no idea what was going on. Danny and D.J. walked back in.
Danny broke the silence. "Everyone, I would like you to know that we are almost positive that this is Chelsea, my biological daughter."
Stephanie heard everyone cheer from the kitchen.
"What are you talking about Mr. Tanner?" Chelsea was confused.
Danny explained the whole story. Chelsea started to cry.
"I knew it all along, and no one would believe me! My prayers were answered!" Michelle exclaimed.
"Where is Stephanie?" Chelsea asked after everyone settled down.
"I think she is in the living room, let me get her." D.J. went into the living room and found a note posted on the door.
"Dad! Dad! Get in her now!" She yelled.
Everyone rushed into the room to see what the problem was. D.J. handed her father the note.
Danny read it aloud:
I guess everyone's wish came true except for mine. Things are never going to be the same again. I don't like change one bit, and I do not want to be a part of a family that lies and betrays one another. Chelsea can take my place here. She originally was my place. I am going to find another place to live, so don't worry about me. (Which you probably aren't.) I will be fine. Stephanie
More to come!
"
"Hey Steph, are you sure you are okay, you look a little pale." Gia asked concerned.
"Yeah, I am fine. Don't worry. I think I just had some bad food." She lied.
The rest of the day seemed to drag for Stephanie. She couldn't concentrate on her work, all she could think about was how to keep Chelsea away from her.
**************************************************************************** ********
Michelle walked into the living room seeing her uncle with his guitar. "Hi Uncle Jesse, what's up?"
"Hey Shorty. I am trying to come up with lyrics for the song."
"Still?"
"Well, I have a few lines down. You know what the theme of the song is right?"
"Yeah, and it makes me sad."
"I know. I am sorry. I am sad about this whole thing too."
"Not as much as me. I want to meet her so bad. Stephanie and I are such opposites. She doesn't want to meet her at all, and I do. Why is that?" Michelle wondered.
"I think Stephanie feels betrayed, and jealous. I think you handle situations like these better than Stephanie. You are more forgiving and understanding to your dad. Also, you want to meet Chelsea because you think it would be fun to have someone else to look up to and you also want to see what she is like. With Stephanie she feels if she meets her things will be different in her life, she is afraid of change, and afraid she will be ignored. Do you understand?"
"I think so. She basically feels let down by the family and on also scared that if we meet Chelsea she will feel even more misplaced?"
"You got it."
"Thanks Uncle Jesse. I have to go to my Honeybee meeting now. Good luck on your song!" A horn honked outside and Michelle exited the house.
"I am going to divide you into groups of two for this project." Mrs. Sulfer explained to the class the next day. "I have already picked the groups." The class groaned. "That is too bad. Last time I let you all pick half the class failed. Okay, Gia you and Stephanie" The girls smiled at each other. "are not working together. Gia you are with Mary, and Stephanie you are with, hmm, how about Claire."
Stephanie felt her heart sink. She wanted to cry, but knew she couldn't. She was going to keep this a secret no matter what she had to do.
"So Stephanie!" A perky voice called from behind her as she walked to her locker. "How about we get together at your house?"
"Well, I would but my house is a mess right now. You wouldn't want to come there. " Stephanie lied. How about we go to yours?"
"We can't. My parents are out of town, and my grandmother will not let me have anyone over. So I guess we will have to go to your house."
"Yeah I guess." Stephanie cringed.
**************************************************************************** ********
"Your house isn't messy at all! I think this is the cleanest house I have ever seen." Chelsea stated.
"I guess my dad decided to clean up for once."
"What are you talking about?" A voice came from behind the kitchen counter. "Dad is always cleaning up."
"Michelle, leave us alone."
Chelsea stood up for Michelle. "Aw, don't be so mean to your sister. I wish I had a sister."
"If you only knew." Stephanie mumbled.
Chelsea walked over to Michelle. "Hi, my name is Chelsea. I am assuming your name is Michelle."
"Wow, your name is Chelsea? That is odd, Stephanie and I just found out that we have..." Stephanie butted in. "Uh, Chelsea look at the time. We better start our project before it gets to late."
**************************************************************************** ********
"D.J.! D.J.! "Michelle screamed as she ran up to her sister's room.
"What Michelle. Is everything okay?"
"D.J. guess what? Stephanie has a new friend and her name is Chelsea! I think it is our long lost sister!"
"Michelle, that doesn't mean a thing."
"No, D.J., it is more than that. Like she acts like you and Stephanie. I mean in the way she walks and stuff. How about we invite her over for dinner and investigate!"
"Michelle, that is dumb. What if it isn't her?"
"What if it is?"
"Fine. We will make a deal okay? We will ask her to stay for dinner and try to find out some stuff. If it isn't her, which it probably isn't, than no more talk about our sister. Okay?"
"Okay!"
"Oh, and let me do the asking. You can't act to obvious, okay?"
"Duh!" Michelle rolled her eyes.
"Michelle, don't be so rude."
D.J. left the room and went into Stephanie and Michelle's room.
D.J. put out her hand. "Hey! I am D.J. are you Stephanie's new friend?"
"I think so. It is nice to meet you. I am Chelsea."
"Our Dad is making one of his famous dishes for dinner, would you like to stay and eat with us?" D.J. asked.
Stephanie answered for her. "Oh, I am sure Chelsea would like to eat at her own home. Wouldn't you Chelsea?"
"Actually, I would very much like to stay, but I need to call my grandma first." "Okay, well talk to you later!" D.J. left the room. Stephanie knows something. She was acting strange while I was in there. Michelle was right, this girl does have some similar traits. I can't tell Michelle that though, at least not yet. There is going to be some definite questions going on at dinner tonight.
"I won't eat this!" Nicky yelled as he threw his plate on the floor.
"Me either!" Alex mimicked his brother and threw his plate on the floor too.
"Nicholas, and Alexander! I thought I told you boys to behave at dinner. We have company. I want you boys to clean up that mess. Apologize now and no dessert." Becky sternly said to her twins.
"We are sorry." The boys said in unison.
"Jesse, was I too mean?" Becky asked.
"No, I think you were fair with them. They need to learn manners." Jesse reassured.
D.J. tried to change the conversation. "Well, now let's not ignore our company."
Stephanie sensed her sister knew something was up. D.J. is never that interested in my friends. Hmm, she knows I know something.
"So, Chelsea, do you have any siblings?" Danny asked.
"Well, I have a brother. Not biologically though. For awhile my parents couldn't have kids, so they adopted me and then a few years later they were able to have my brother."
"Do you know anything about your birth parents? I don't mean to pry, but I find this stuff interesting" D.J. tried to ask casually without anyone suspecting that she herself was suspicious.
"All I know is that they were a nice couple who loved me but couldn't afford to keep me. I think they had another daughter though. I know it sounds bad, but really they wanted me to have a good life and didn't want me or the other girl not to be able to have nice things. I know they live in San Francisco, and I really would like to meet them.
Stephanie started to sweat. Danny noticed her discomfort. "Stephanie, may I have a word with you and D.J. in the living room?
They walked into the living room.
"Stephanie, what is going on here?" Danny wanted to know.
"Well, this girl seems very similar to your daughter, but she probably isn't. What are the odds?"
"Stephanie," Danny's voice raised. "Did you go looking for this girl after I told you all not to? Tell me everything you know. "
Stephanie started to cry. "Dad, she came to my class yesterday as a new student. As she introduced herself I realized she might be who I thought she was. At lunch Gia asked her some questions, and they all matched to what we know about our sister. I didn't tell anyone because I don't want her to be a part of our life. Then today our teacher assigned us to do a project together. That is what happened, I promise."
Danny was speechless. "D.J. were you in on this?"
"No, Dad. When she came over today Michelle said she thought this might be the Chelsea we know of, and I didn't believe her, but when I met this girl I knew Michelle might be right.
"Wow, this is weird. We are going to go into the kitchen and tell Chelsea." Danny told them.
"Um, Dad, I think I will stay out here. I need to think for a few minutes." Stephanie said.
Everyone that was left at the kitchen table was silent. They were all suspicious, except for Chelsea, who had no idea what was going on. Danny and D.J. walked back in.
Danny broke the silence. "Everyone, I would like you to know that we are almost positive that this is Chelsea, my biological daughter."
Stephanie heard everyone cheer from the kitchen.
"What are you talking about Mr. Tanner?" Chelsea was confused.
Danny explained the whole story. Chelsea started to cry.
"I knew it all along, and no one would believe me! My prayers were answered!" Michelle exclaimed.
"Where is Stephanie?" Chelsea asked after everyone settled down.
"I think she is in the living room, let me get her." D.J. went into the living room and found a note posted on the door.
"Dad! Dad! Get in her now!" She yelled.
Everyone rushed into the room to see what the problem was. D.J. handed her father the note.
Danny read it aloud:
I guess everyone's wish came true except for mine. Things are never going to be the same again. I don't like change one bit, and I do not want to be a part of a family that lies and betrays one another. Chelsea can take my place here. She originally was my place. I am going to find another place to live, so don't worry about me. (Which you probably aren't.) I will be fine. Stephanie
More to come!
"