We stepped out of the apartment in silence, and Katherine paused to lock the door. “Would you like to look after the key?” she asked.
I had my own set tucked in my suitcase, but I reached out and took the small silver piece of metal from her hands. Unfastening my mother’s locket, I let the key slip down the delicate chain so it could rest against my chest, right next to my heart.
***
We sat on the plane in silence. I was trying hard to forget that I was currently moving farther and farther away from my home, and I refused to let myself cry. For the first month after the accident, I never left my bed. Then came the day where I miraculously pulled myself out from underneath my comforter and got dressed. Since then, I’d promised myself that I would be strong and composed. I didn’t want to go back to that weak, hollow person I’d become, and that wasn’t going to change now. Instead, I focused my attention on Katherine as she clenched and unclenched the armrest, her knuckles going white each time she did.
I only knew a few things about the woman sitting next to me. First was that she was my mother’s childhood friend. They grew up in New York and attended Hawks Boarding School together, the same school my sister and I had been enrolled in. Back then, she was known as Katherine Green, which brought me to the second thing I knew about her. During college she met George Walter. The two married and moved to Colorado to start a horse ranch, George’s lifelong dream. Finally, the third and most noteworthy piece of information I knew about Katherine—she was my new guardian. Apparently I’d met her when I was little, but it was so long ago that I couldn’t remember. Katherine Walter was a complete stranger to me.
“Afraid of flying?” I asked, as she let out a deep breath. Honestly, the woman looked like she was going to be sick.
“No, but to be completely truthful, I am a bit nervous about—well, taking you home,” she said. I felt my shoulders tense up. Was she afraid that I was going to go off the deep end? I could assure her that wasn’t going to happen, not if I wanted to get into Princeton. Uncle Richard must have said something to her, something about me not being okay, even though I was perfectly fine. Katherine caught my look and quickly added, “Oh no, not because of you, honey. I know you’re a good kid.”
“Then why?”
Katherine’s smile was sympathetic. “Jackie, honey, did I ever tell you I have twelve kids?”
No, I thought as my mouth dropped open, that definitely wasn’t mentioned. When he decided that I was moving to Colorado, Uncle Richard did say something about Katherine having kids, but twelve? He’d conveniently left that little detail out. A dozen kids. Katherine’s household must be stuck permanently in a state of chaos. Why would anyone even want to have twelve children? I could feel the tiny wings of panic fluttering inside my chest.
Stop overreacting, I told myself. After taking a few deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth, I pulled out a notebook and pen. I needed to find out as much as I could about the family I was going to live with, so I could be prepared. Sitting up in my seat, I asked Katherine to tell me about her kids and she agreed enthusiastically.
“My oldest is Will,” she began, and I started writing.
The Walter Boys:
Will is twenty-one. He’s in his final semester at the local community college and is engaged to his high-school sweetheart.
Cole is seventeen. He’s a senior in high school and a talented auto mechanic.
Danny is seventeen. He’s also a senior in high school and the president of the drama club. He’s Cole’s fraternal twin.
Isaac is sixteen. He’s a junior in high school and is obsessed with girls. He’s Katherine’s nephew.
Alex is sixteen. He’s a sophomore in high school and plays way too many video games.
Lee is fifteen. He’s a sophomore in high school and a skater. He’s also Katherine’s nephew.
Nathan is fourteen. He’s a freshman in high school and a musician.
Jack and Jordan are twelve. They’re in seventh grade and twins. They believe that they will be the next Steven Spielberg and always have a video camera with them.
Parker is nine. He’s in fourth grade. He looks innocent but loves tackle football.
Zack and Benny are five and are in kindergarten. They’re twins and crazy little monsters with potty mouths.