The knocking turned into an aggressive rattling, like the person outside had given up on patience altogether.
I unlocked the door and pulled it open.
Standing there was my younger sister, Vanessa.
She looked like she had stepped into a spotlight.
Three huge suitcases stood upright beside her, their shiny surfaces reflecting the hallway light. She wore brand-new leggings and a stylish jacket. Expensive sunglasses rested on top of her head even though we were indoors. Her hair was styled in loose waves, like she had taken plenty of time getting ready that morning.
She didn’t look stressed.
She didn’t look desperate.
She didn’t look like someone who had nowhere to go.
She looked like someone arriving at a luxury vacation.
Her lips curved into a confident smile—the same polished smile she used whenever she wanted something and assumed she would get it.
