Dear Cousin, Take My Parents

Mom and Dad shot a dissatisfied glance at the still-locked bathroom door. They slammed the apple pie they'd brought back onto the shoe cabinet.

Dad snapped at the door, "To think that Izzy was kind enough to want to bring you some apple pie. Meanwhile, look at you! You're still trying to hog her bathtub, refusing to come out."

Izzy looked up at Dad and said sweetly, "Just let Mellie soak for a little longer, Uncle James. The bathtub can keep the water warm for 24 hours anyway. It also has a massage feature. Even if she stays in there overnight, it's not a big deal."

Dad gently tapped her nose. "You keep putting up with her spoiled ways."

He and Mom went back to their bedroom. I soon heard them snoring in there.

Izzy crept out of her bedroom. She took the apple pie from the shoe cabinet and came over to the bathroom door.

Unlike the sweet tone she had when she spoke to Mom and Dad, she sounded a lot sharper and haughtier now.

"Melanie, don't think anyone will pity you just because you stayed quiet. This is just a little warning for you. If you dare set your sights on my things again, you won't be getting away with something as simple as being locked in the bathroom next time."

She raised the apple pie and continued, "Go on, then. Beg me, and I'll let you out."

The bathroom remained completely quiet, which seemed to have angered Izzy. She threw down the apple pie and stomped on it until it became a pile of mush.

The sweet, buttery smell wafted in the air.

Floating in the air, I watched as Izzy walked away. I would never be setting my sights on her things again. She could even have my parents to herself now. Surely she'd be happy now, right?

…

The next morning, Mom and Dad came out of the bedroom, yawning. They noticed that the bathroom door was still firmly shut.

Mom began to look worried and knocked on the door.

"Mellie, haven't you been soaking in the bathtub long enough now?"

Frowning, Dad searched for the key to open the door.

Izzy ran over and tugged on Mom's sleeve.

"I'm sorry, Aunt Louise. It's all because of me. Mellie wouldn't be throwing a tantrum if I hadn't moved in with you guys. Last night, after you went to sleep, I saw Mellie come out of the bathroom. She stomped on the apple pie and left it by the door, saying she wouldn't eat anything I brought back.

"Uncle James, Aunt Louise, am I really that hateful?"

Izzy plopped down beside the mashed apple pie and started crying loudly.

Hearing that, Dad pounded on the bathroom door with all his strength. The loud bang made me shudder.

"Melanie Spencer! You've gone too far. How can you be so mean and cruel?"

Izzy tearfully hugged Dad, saying, "Don't be mad at Mellie, Uncle James. It's my fault. I'm just an outsider who's trying to force my way into your family. It's all my fault for trying too hard to be loved as well."

Her words reminded Mom and Dad of what they'd said yesterday, and Mom immediately pulled Izzy into a hug. "Come, Izzy. Let's get your name changed today."

The three of them got dressed and left the apartment with Dad and Mom each holding one of Izzy's hands. It looked as if she were their daughter instead.

Out of Mom and Dad's sight, Izzy shot a smug, taunting smile toward the bathroom.

It was much later in the afternoon when they finally came back.

Izzy rushed to the bathroom door, proudly holding two newly updated birth certificates. "From this day onward, my name is Izzy Spencer, you're now Melanie Kramer!"

I couldn't believe it. I rushed over to Izzy and stared at the birth certificates. She was telling the truth.

She'd taken the Spencer last name, which matched Mom's and Dad's, while I had the last name of Kramer—the only one in the family with that name.