Albrecht just looked at her in shock. "I didn't know Top – Michael had another sister."
Cari just looked at him quizzically, "What do you mean another?"
"Well that girl – what's her name – Myca?"
Cari just snorted. "She's not his sister, just some sick girlfriend that said she was his half-sister. I think she got off on that incest type stuff. It made her feel kinky or something. I thought it was gross." She said, with a look of disgust on her face.
Albrecht had to agree. "It sounds gross."
"Yeah tell me about it."
Albrecht pulled up and chair and sat beside her. "So he's your brother?" he asked, still having a hard time believing it.
"Yeah, he's been taking care of me since Mom died."
"What about your dad?"
"Took off when I was a baby."
Albrecht gave her a look of sympathy. Cari caught it and could tell he was gonna say something. She just shrugged before he could open his mouth. "Don't care anyway. Mom said he was a jerk to begin with." An awkward silence filled the room for a moment.
"So…is Michael in trouble?"
Albrecht wanted to lie to the girl, but looking at her, he knew he had to tell her the truth.
"Yeah he is."
"It's bad, isn't it?"
"Big time, kid."
Cari looked at her brother, her lower lip trembling, taking deep breaths, trying not to cry.
"Look kid, I gotta take off," Albrecht said standing up.
"Yeah I should probably …" Cari said, letting her words hang in the air, not wanting to leave. Albrecht's heart went out to the girl, just like it had went out to Sara.
"How about you spend the night here?"
"Really? Is that okay?" Cari asked, not believing her ears.
"Sure, I'll let the cop outside know it's cool."
"Thanks."
"I'll come back in the morning to check on you."
Cari nodded and Albrecht left.
"You really stepped in it this time brother." Cari said, looking at Michael before once again resting her head on her arm and looking at him, then drifting off to sleep.