Chapter 2
That was the first time I ever heard Marcus say “love of my life.”
And he was talking about Molly,
Marcus doesn’t know that when he asked for the divorce, I wasn’t gonna be mean about it.
I wasn’t gonna make a big fuss or anything.
I just wanted to ask if maybe I didn’t have to go back to that scary old house all by myself, because that would make me really really lonely.
But the more upset I got, the harder it was to say words right, and tears kept falling down my face like crazy.
That’s when Tyler came over-he’s the little boy whose daddy was Marcus’s army friend.
His daddy died doing soldier stuff, so me and Marcus adopted him to be our family.
I knew Tyler never liked me much. He always said I was embarrassing.
So when Marcus said he wanted a divorce, Tyler ran over and pushed me away really hard.
He was super mean and yelled: “You’re such a pain in the butt! You’re ruining everything! When are you gonna stop messing up Dad’s life?”
Just get out! Get out of our house! Molly’s coming over later and SHE’S gonna be my real mom, not some stupid like you!”
Marcus got really tired of watching me cry, so finally, I got sent back to that gross old house where I died all alone.
‘m getting all sweaty and scared.
This dream thing feels way too real, and it’s making my tummy feel icky.
don’t wanna die.
So I push Marcus away and wave my hands around.
Um, maybe we shouldn’t do that, Marcus.”
fis face looks all confused like he doesn’t get it.
But before he can ask me questions, two army guys come in and do that salute thing to him.
hey say there’s a new mission he has to do.
Marcus has to leave really fast, but before he goes he tells me I gotta take good care of myself.
watch him walk away.
f I remember the dream right, this army mission is where he’s gonna meet Molly.
totally didn’t expect to see Molly again so soon.
A week later, she shows up at our house with a bunch of fancy presents.
She says she wants to thank Marcus for saving her.
The whole table is covered with really pretty cakes and stuff.
Mrs. Henderson from next door tries to warn me, “Ellie, honey, you better wake up. You’re not even married into the Kane family yet, and there’s tons of ladies who want your Marcus.”
When she’s talking to me, she keeps staring at Molly the whole time.
When she sees I’m not really getting it, Mrs. Henderson pats my head and goes, “Oh, sweetie.”
Then she turns around and whispers really mean at Molly: “Bitch!”
People have seen them together at restaurants like a bunch of times already.
Mrs. Henderson knows Marcus owes me big time, and she knows we’re supposed to get married, so she’s trying really hard to help me watch out for Molly.
But I shake my head.
After having that scary dream, I know for sure that I can’t make Marcus marry me just because he feels bad.
His life should be whatever he wants it to be.
And I want to be free too. I don’t wanna stay at the Kane house anymore.
Because except for Marcus, nobody here is nice to me.
But Molly is totally different-everyone loves her.
Marcus’s grandma really really likes her. Like, a LOT.
She keeps grabbing Molly’s hand and pushing her toward Marcus, saying stuff like the family needs a granddaughter-in-law just like her.
The very first time they met, Grandma Kane gave Molly this super fancy green bracelet that’s been in their family forever.
remember Marcus told me once that his grandma was saving that bracelet for whoever he married.
Marcus comes downstairs right when she’s saying this, and his face gets all scrunchy and mad.
He tells his grandma to stop.
Grandma, don’t say that stuff. I’m gonna marry Ellie.”
But even though Marcus says he’s gonna marry me, he and Molly keep hanging out more and more.
And wouldn’t you know it, Marcus’s new army job is to protect this super smart lady.
So now they’re together like all the time.
All the people on base keep making fun of me.
Every day they say mean stuff like:
Ellie, your boyfriend went to see a movie with Molly.”
Hey dummy, Colonel Kane took her shopping today.”
Does Kane even want you anymore? Ellie, we all saw him buy Molly a pretty dress. Did he buy you one?”
Whenever they start talking, I run over and sit under the big tree by our front door.
‘m not really sad or anything.
guess I don’t have to marry Marcus.
But maybe he could still not leave me all alone?
I don’t wanna be by myself.
… I need somebody to be my family.
Marcus is really nice to me, and he’s the only person I have.
If we can’t get married, maybe I could be like his little sister?
I pick up a stick and draw circles in the dirt.
