"Mrs. Sommers, may we talk for awhile?"

Mrs. Sommers stepped aside and Hayley stepped over the threshold.

"What could we possibly talk about?"

"I have been thinking about how we could become better friends." Hayley swallowed hard. "I do know that you are my aunt and that is even more of a reason for us to get to know each other."

"Your father finally told you we're related." Mrs.

Sommers frowned.

"You just want to spend more time with Austin."

"He is my cousin, and I understand it is only in that respect that we have a relationship."

"What do you really want from me?"

"You know the most about who my mother was. I would like to know about your relationship with her-and my father."

"What does your father have to do with anything?"

"He is your brother-in-law. Did you ever get to know each other?"

"Ha! What I know, you do not care to hear about, trust me!"

"You may not want to know my father, but I wish to get to know you."

Hayley walked to the living area, locked her hands together and sat down.

"I want to be able to talk to someone. Maddie is being so cruel to me and my father is always absent. I don't have a chance to be with good people such as yourself."