Our birthday came a week after Henry moved in. Mom held a small party for us. There, Henry and Rylee got acquainted. The cake Mom made tasted great.

Rylee got a new dress for Jem, and an art kit for me. Henry made two butterfly broochs. They looked realistic. It was Mom's turn afterwards.

She gave Jem a red journal. Mom went to the closet, and took out a medium-sized gift. "I considered a favor from a friend," she said as she handed it to me. I tore off the paper.

It was Ms. Stanley's painting of the oak tree. My eyes well up with tears. Rylee read the writing on the back of the canvas:

To Gemini, thanks for everything. ~Ms. Stanley

When she was done, I was gone. "Gem?"

"Where did she go?"

"Let her go. She'll be back," Mom groaned.

"It's her birthday, too," Jem chided.

She found me on my bed, crying. "What happened? You just left."

"I couldn't take it."

"We all miss her." Jem wiped off my tear. "Tell me. How is Ms. Stanley different?"

"She made me feel like I belong."

"Mom does too."

"No, she doesn't! Besides you, Ms. Stanley accepted me." Jem gave me a hug. She cheered me up when she said, "You're one of a kind."