Chapter 2

"Mom!" I rushed toward her eagerly.

Mom walked straight through my body.

I couldn't touch her anymore.

I trailed behind her, cautiously trying to tell her what I wanted.

She couldn't hear a word. She brushed past me to grab her handbag from the console.

She hadn't come back because she was worried about me.

When Mom glanced toward the piano room door, my breath caught.

Would she see me?

She stopped in front of the door, her tone dripping with annoyance.

"Look at you. You hear your mother come home and can't even be bothered to come out and say hello? Getting older, getting an attitude, huh? Giving me the silent treatment?"

"Let me tell you, sulking won't get you anywhere. You drew a reversed card because of your own terrible luck. You have no one to blame but yourself."

Like a kid who had done something wrong, I panicked and tried to explain.

"Mom, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ignore you. I died."

"I didn't mean to die, and I got the floor all dirty. I'm sorry, Mom. I'll clean it..."

My voice faded. "I can't clean it up anymore. I'm dead."

Seeing that the door stayed shut, Mom frowned and twisted the doorknob.

I jumped in front of the door. "Mom, don't! It's really messy inside."

Right then, Lily ran in from the front door.

"Mom, hurry up! Backstage is closing soon!"

Mom let go of the knob, scooped Lily up in her arms, and turned to leave.

After a few steps, she called out toward my door:

"We'll be out late. There's apple pie on the counter for dinner, so don't you dare say I'm unfair."

"Your sister didn't even get any. And I didn't even make you draw a card this time. Consider it a favor."

The apple pie on the counter was left over from yesterday.

Mom had brought it home from the hospital cafeteria and made us draw cards for it. I drew a reversed card, of course.

I hadn't tasted a dessert in so long, so I couldn't stop staring at it.

Mom had slapped me right across the face, disgusted.

"What are you staring at? You're ruining your sister's mood!"

"Did you forget the rules again?"

"You drew a reversed card, so the pie belongs to Lily. Stare at it again and I'll gouge your eyes out."

I hadn't expected her to just let me have it today.

Even though the pie had started to go stale, I felt a little flicker of happiness.

I couldn't eat it, but I still huddled in the corner, waiting for them to come home.

Hours passed before Dad, Mom, and Lily returned, their faces beaming with joy.

"Mom, Dad's piano piece was amazing! The stage manager backstage said I'm a natural! I loved it so much. Can I go on stage next time?"

Mom kissed her forehead lovingly. "Your mom doesn't have that kind of pull, sweetie."

Lily giggled and backed away.

"Don't kiss me yet! We haven't drawn cards. If Hannah sees, she'll start crying about things being unfair again."

"Though she's probably already crying in the piano room anyway. It's her birthday, after all."

Mom glanced at the kitchen counter.

The apple pie was still there, untouched. She scoffed, her voice brimming with certainty.

"If she could draw an upright card, I'd kiss her too. Too bad her luck is trash."

"She didn't even touch the pie. She's throwing another tantrum. Your sister takes everything personally. Just ignore her."

"Mom, I didn't..." I tried to say.

Nobody saw me. Nobody heard me.

Mom started putting together a late-night snack.

"Hannah! Come out and draw your card! Don't you dare refuse to eat once the food is ready!"

Dad, who was rewatching his performance video on his phone, grunted in irritation.

"Why bother with her? If she won't come out, skip her. Just make what Lily likes. Let her starve if she wants to be dramatic!"

"We put a roof over her head and food on the table. And what do we get? Attitude. Ungrateful brat!"

I stood to the side, quietly listening.

Even if I drew, what difference would it make?

For eleven years, the table had only ever held food Lily loved. I was left picking at plain, dry rice.

Well, they really didn't need to worry about me anymore.