was the attorney overseeing a trust established for us by our parents.
She had already been concerned about unanswered requests to check on our welfare and unusual expense records from Valerie and Grant.
Mr.
Okafor’s call confirmed that something was seriously wrong.
Nadia promised to come as soon as she could arrange a visit and notify the appropriate authorities.
I thought about telling Valerie.
But each time I imagined the expression on her face, I changed my mind.
Then Saturday arrived.
At 3:14 that afternoon, the temperature outside was above ninety degrees.
The kitchen smelled of barbecue sauce and lemon cleaner.
A large birthday cake stood on the counter beside plastic decorations for the party Valerie and Grant were hosting that evening.
Their guests were expected at five.
Leo lay against my chest, his forehead hot and his breathing faster than usual.
Miles was in his carrier on the table, crying because he was hungry.
The formula can was nearly empty.
Valerie had instructed me not to open another one until Monday, even though the twins needed more than what remained.
I had managed to prepare Leo’s bottle earlier.
Now Miles needed his.
I carefully measured the remaining formula, using the proper amount of water.
There was enough for one small feeding.
I was reaching for the lid when Valerie entered.
She stopped immediately.
‘What are you doing?’
‘Miles needs his bottle.’
‘I told you not to waste any more formula.’
‘But he hasn’t eaten enough.’
She crossed the kitchen and snatched the can from my hand.
‘Do you have any idea how expensive this is? Twenty-four dollars a can!’
I looked at the baby carrier.
Miles’s little mouth kept opening and closing as he cried.
‘Please,’ I whispered.
‘It’s just one more scoop.’
Valerie struck the bottle out of my hand.
It hit the tile and spilled across the floor.
For several seconds, neither of us moved.
Then Grant appeared, carrying a plate loaded with barbecue ribs.
‘What happened?’
‘She’s wasting our money again,’ Valerie announced.
Grant looked down at the formula.
His face darkened.
‘I’ve had enough of this.’
I tried to explain that Miles needed feeding and Leo was sick.
He didn’t listen.
‘Out,’ he ordered.
‘All three of you.’
I stared at him.
‘Outside?’
‘You heard me.’
Valerie pulled the kitchen door open.
‘You can sit out there until you learn to be grateful.’
I stepped backward, clutching Leo.
‘Please, I don’t have shoes on.’
Grant lifted Miles’s carrier from the table.
He carried it to the front entrance and set it down on the porch.
Valerie pushed me through the doorway.
The door slammed.
For a moment, I stood perfectly still.
I had never been locked outside with both babies before.
The porch boards burned beneath my feet.
Leo was getting heavier in my arms, and Miles’s cries became thin and exhausted.
I sat on the bottom step because I was afraid I might drop Leo if I stayed standing.
Through the window, I saw Grant pick up a fresh plate of food.
He laughed at something Valerie said.
Then she pulled the curtain shut.
Across the street, Mr.
Okafor lowered his newspaper.
He crossed the road immediately.
‘June, honey, what’s happened?’
I couldn’t answer.
I just looked at Miles.
Mr.
Okafor took one look
