As of some one gently rapping at your chamber door

You look at your door for a moment, and then sit up.

“I’m coming.” You state as you open it.

“Hey.” States Maxine as you open your door.

“Hey.” You reply.

“Mom told me to tell you that dinner’s ready.” She states, standing there in front of you.

“Lead the way.” You state, and you follow your sister through the hall, down the stairs, and into the dining room. You find the only empty seat at the dinner table between Maxine and your mom, dad from Maxine, Caroline across from mom, and―

“Dig in kids!” Chortles your dad as your mom passes you the bread rolls. There’s a brunette girl who looks familiar, but is absolutely a stranger to you sitting across the dinner table from you. You don’t recognize her. No name is on the tip of your tongue looking at her.

“I think your new haircut did the trick Lex, John’s looking at you like he doesn’t know who you are.” Chuckles your mom, taking a sip of her beer. Lex? Is this girl that you are supposed to know Lex?

“Don’t you recognize your own sister, John?” Snorts Caroline as she takes a drink of her own beer. You feel your cheeks become flush. Sister‽

“You’re right though, I don’t think he’s seen me with long hair before.” Lex adds, mouth full of food.

“Chew your food before you speak, it's impolite in mixed company.” Your father adds. You’re still trying to process who Lex is, your sister? That cannot be right. You would know if you had a third sister. You had two, now there are three of them. Uncertainly you stand up.

“I’m gonna go get myself a beer from the fridge.” You state. You take long steps to the kitchen, and take a moment to collect yourself staring into the refrigerator. You pop the cap on your beer, and on your way back to your seat, you get a candid look at Lex. She has your dad’s jawline, your mom’s dark hair. It’s too close for comfort. You knew that you only had two siblings, not three, and yet here is evidence to the contrary in front of your eyes.

“So, uh, Lex, how have you been?” You hazard across the table.

“Oh, I’ve been good.” She says, nonchalantly passing the mashed potatoes. “I made team MVP this year for football.”

“Very nice.” You state.

“Have your grades improved at all?” Snipes your mom and you see Lex flinch.

“I mean they haven’t gotten any worse.” She replies.

“Real confidence booster there.” Scoffs Max. Lex rolls her eyes.

“Anything interesting happened recently?” You ask, prodding.

“Well,” Lex says, tapping her fork on her plate, “I had my birthday last month, that was pretty cool.” She shrugs. “We went out for a big dinner and everything, brought Wilma and Rebeka along too, pretty awesome time all told.”

“Well happy belated birthday,” you say, “which means that you are how many years old again?”

Your dad tries to cover his laugh with a cough.

“I’m 20, did you really forget how old your own sister is?” Lex asks, flabbergasted.

“Yeah.” You answer. “Honestly forgot that you even existed.”

“John!” Scolds your mother.

“It’s the truth!” You reply.

“Do you remember how old I am?” Asks Caroline, starting her second beer.

“Twenty four, right?” You answer.

“Good job remembering something so basic.” She retorts.

“And what about Max?” Lex asks.

“Eighteen?” You reply.

“Yep, haha.” She laughs.

“Mentioning Max, have you decided where you’re going for college?” Your father asks.

“Well,” starts Max, fidgeting, “I’ve heard back from a couple local schools but I was going to wait and see on the rest of my applications before I make a decision.”

“Hmm.” Grunts your father.

“Be careful sweetie, graduation will be upon you before you know it.” States your mom. Max signs in a way that communicates that this conversation has happened many many times before.

“I know mom.” Max replies.

The dinner table conversation winds its way through various different topics, Max’s academics, Lex’s athletics, your mother’s work, and to the state of the house at large before eventually petering out. Lex is the first to excuse herself and soon the rest of your family follows suit. You put your dishes in the dishwasher, and get shooed out of the kitchen by your dad. You yawn and meander up the stairs to your room. Again, it is shockingly empty compared to what it used to be. You strip and lay down on your bed, thinking over what all happened today. Something happened. You have never seen billboards like that in any town before. You have another sister that you are pretty sure you didn’t have this morning, or at least wasn’t in the―