Page 5 of Switching Graves

My mother’s family disowned her before I was even born. I would be surprised if they knew about me at all before thefuneral, let alone if they expressed interest in taking me in. They’re complete strangers. Based on the few stories I’ve heard, they’re more like Aunt Divina than my mother or father. Makes sense, considering she grew up next door to my mother’s family.

Grandpa Jay is in an assisted living facility with his third wife, who has made it clear she wants nothing to do with his two sons—my father and Graysen. He didn’t even bother coming to the funeral.

There’s no one else.

After a moment where the only sound was pieces of paper being flipped through, Leonard clears his throat.

“Guardianship for Sonnet Ellery has been granted to . . . Graysen and Divina Ellery.”

“Well, that’s just not possible. We’ll have to find a way past the will,” Aunt Divina dismisses, and I swear I hear my uncle growl.

“Of course, you are not obligated to serve as the role of guardian to the child,” Leonard rushes out, and more paper shuffles. “It seems that they haven’t explicitly named anyone else. We can draw up an objection to guardianship and reach out to the other parties who are interested, then take the issue to the probate court. It may be a lengthy process, but it’s possible.”

Aunt Divina hums her approval and I feel Poppy’s hand on my back as the reality settles in. They’re the only true family I’ve ever known, and they’re rejecting me.

“We aren’t filing anything,” Uncle Graysen insists in an even, stern tone that I’ve only ever heard him use with his work.

He and my father were always casual with one another, joking around or playing random pranks. They were best friends in every sense of the term.

“Graysen, we cannot properly care for another teen-aged girl right now. Penelope is already a handful and who knows how Sonny will react once the reality of what’s happened settles in.”Aunt Divina clicks her tongue, as if the discussion is closed. “No, this is what’s best.”

I imagine her nodding once, jaw set in that stubborn way that makes her look years older than she is.

“Divina, we’re all she’s got,” Uncle Graysen argues.

“It’s not our problem that Constance isolated herself from her family the moment she left Ravenshurst,” her voice raises an octave, clearly just as surprised as I am to hear her usually meek husband arguing back at her. “They’re more than capable of taking her in and giving her everything she needs. They’re her blood.”

“I’mher blood,” he booms. “She’s the last shred of my brother that’s left in this world. I’m not going to send her off to live with a bunch of strangers simply because you don’t want the headache. Imagine whatthatwill do to Poppy.”

Leonard clears his throat, reminding them that they have company, and Aunt Divina keeps whatever sharp response she had prepared to herself.

“The matter doesn’t have to be decided tonight. You can talk it over and take some time to decide?—”

Uncle Graysen’s oddly calm voice cuts him off. “The decision is made. I’ll be accepting guardianship.”

Aunt Divina makes a strangled noise, but remains silent. Poppy quietly snickers into my ear, and I know she’s got to be loving the front-row seat of her mother cowering.

“And what about expenses? I’m guessing they didn’t set aside anything to help us with this new financial burden,” Aunt Divina asks Leonard, her tone a little more irritable now that she’s been challenged and humiliated.

“There is a life insurance policy for both of them that will be paid into an account controlled by Graysen. This can be used to cover any expenses the child incurs during her time with you after all the debts have been settled.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Divina. We’ve got more than enough money,” Uncle Graysen scoffs.

“You’re talking about taking on another mouth to feed. Another body to clothe. What about school supplies? Hell, what about her school tuition?”

“You’re grasping at straws.”

A chair hits the floor, the sound muffled by the thick carpet. We lean further into the door of the cabinet, widening the gap to see that Aunt Divina is now on her feet.

“How are you going to decide that we’ll take on another child without even considering everything that goes into it?”

“I’m well aware of what goes into raising a child. I also know that my brother has raised an exceptional girl, who is probably feeling incredibly lost right now. The last thing she needs is to be separated from the only life she’s ever known, simply because you don’t like who mothered her.”

“That is not true! I loved Constance like a sister once.”

“Yes, once. A long time ago. And now you’re punishing her daughter for whatever sins she committed against you.”

Aunt Divina snorts.

---