Chapter 11

THE NEXT DAY

I took half a day today. My sisters are all leaving tomorrow, and we wanted to spend the day together, seeing the sights and hanging out. “Do you think we will get to see him?” February asks, whispering in my ear as we stand in the line for the White House tour.

“No.” I snicker at her silliness. “He wouldn’t be caught dead out here. He would get mobbed.”

“That sounds like facts,” April says, smashing the damn Reuben sandwich she begged for.

“Jannie, are you sure you are good to stand up this whole time?” January frowns at me because she hates that nickname. She also hates being told what to do. ”

“I am only four months along, May May.” Pinching my lips, I glare at her back because she knows I also hate that name. “And February is only four weeks behind me. Why is no one asking her?”

“Because my husband didn’t make everyone sign a contract with a list of rules and timeframes for check-ins,” February says, sticking out her tongue.

“Oh my God, he did not?!” January says, putting her head in her hands. I nudge Febs on her side because he didn’t want her to know about that.”

“Oops.” She puts her hand to her mouth. I simply roll my eyes. He should have known. There is no way sisters have secrets from each other. Especially ones who have gone their lives without one another and have so much to make up for.

“I am going to brain him,” she says, rubbing her forehead.

“No. It’s adorable. He loves you. He is just trying to make sure you and the baby are alright when he is not around.” Her eyes soften when she thinks about him.

“May, hi. What are you doing standing in line?” Smiling at June, I introduce her to my sisters.

“June, I thought you were off today. June, these are my sisters.” I don’t bother with their names because she knows the whole story.

“Ha. June, huh? She might be our sister, too,” March says, joking. that We all laugh, but I notice June doesn’t. She attempts a smile, but it doesn’t reach her eyes completely. Interesting.

Once the tour is over, we all go out for lunch and invite June. We end up at this popular diner Guy went to on DDD, and I have been dying to eat here, but it closes when I am off and opens only when I am working.

“So, June, tell us about you.” Her hand stops halfway to her mouth, and it looks like she got caught stealing.

“June, you don’t…” I want to save her from our prying, but she smiles at me and shakes her head.

“It’s okay, May. I don’t mind.”

“Oh my gosh. I didn’t mean to be nosy. You don’t have to answer. I think our journey has made us all inquisitive and a little insensitive to the privacy of others. I am so sorry,” April rattles off.

“No, it”s fine. I probably should talk about it. It might make it hurt less.” I place my hand on hers for support. “I was given up for adoption at birth. That’s it. I know nothing.”

“So, did you grow in foster care?”

“No. I was born in a small town in Montana. At the time there was a commune there. They called themselves All of His Children. The Children of God, but without all of the other stuff. They adopted kids from foster homes and gave us homes and education. We knew none of them were our parents, and they didn’t pretend to be. They just wanted to instill morals and stability in us.” Whoa.

“So not a cult?” January asks, shoving a fry in her mouth.

“Jan!” we all exclaim at her.

“What? I”m sorry. I spend all day watching documentaries and People magazine cults.” She shrugs, and I can’t help laughing. She is a mess.

“You ladies are a riot. No. Not a cult. Actually when I met May and she told you ladies” journey, it gave me courage to submit my DNA to the database. Who knows, maybe I will find something.” She says it so nonchalantly, but I can see the hope in her eyes.

“Speaking of DNA, have you told Logan yet?”

“Great segway, March.” Picking up my milkshake, I roll my eyes.

“Told Logan what?” June asks, looking back and forth between all of us.

“I’m pregnant,” I say, blushing.

“Well, hell, May. This has the most interesting lunch ever.” Yeah, tell me about it. Something is tickling the back of my mind. I just don’t know what it is. “So what is our next step?” she asks, still smirking at us.

“Well, looks like I am going to be a cup thief.” Oh, brother.