The Last Meal
The Johnson family. As the last dish was served, Richard Johnson finally put down his fork and placed a chicken wing on Emily’s plate. "This might be our last supper as father and daughter… I never expected your real parents would want you back so soon…" His voice was choked with emotion, his mind replaying the harrowing ordeal three months prior… He'd needed an emergency blood transfusion, and when Emily had donated blood, they'd discovered they weren't father and daughter. The revelation had rocked the Johnson family to its core. After recovering, Richard, after a grueling search, finally found his biological daughter—Melissa Johnson. The reunion of the long-lost daughter was, naturally, a huge celebration! But Emily… this child with no blood ties… was being pushed out. Yesterday, a call came, supposedly from Emily's biological mother, and today was D-day. "These are your favorites…" Richard, his heart heavy, continued to serve Emily. "Eat up, kiddo. Who knows what you'll find on the other side…" In that call yesterday, Richard had learned her biological parents were unemployed and lived way out in the sticks – a seriously impoverished and backwater area of the state. Emily, her eyes like still water, seemed to understand. There was no emotion in her gaze. Calmly, she put down her fork. "I'm full," she said, rising to leave, her posture as resolute and graceful as ever. She showed no attachment to the family. Brenda Johnson immediately chimed in, "That little ingrate is acting all high and mighty about using your used fork! You’ve spoiled her rotten! Leaving all this gourmet food, she’s gonna get a big wake-up call in her new life!" "Mom, chill. Sis is probably just bummed about going back to the sticks…" This was Melissa, now back in the Johnson fold. She'd overheard her parents yesterday. Emily's situation was a real bummer – unemployed parents, five brothers who were still single, and a sick grandma…a total mess! "I'll walk her out," Richard said, giving Brenda a pointed look. "She was our kid, after all!" "Humph…" Brenda scoffed. "Just thinking about how we babied that girl for years, while poor Melissa struggled, it makes my blood boil…" Emily went to the living room, grabbed her backpack, and prepared to leave. Melissa followed her. "Sis, my engagement party with David is the 1st of next month. You're coming, right?" Her eyes were bright, but her tone was dripping with smugness. The Johnsons and Williams families had a long-standing engagement agreement. If Melissa hadn't been found, it would have been Emily marrying David. "David’s a great guy. He treats me so well…If Mom and Dad hadn't found me, it would have been you engaged to him, Sis! You’re not mad, right?" Emily offered a slight smile, "Thanks to you, the trash finally found its proper place." What? "I was just about to toss this stock certificate, and bam! Someone shows up to claim it." "You…you…" Melissa, about to lose it, caught sight of someone approaching and immediately started welling up. Brenda stormed in and witnessed the scene, exploding, "Emily! How dare you talk to your sister that way! Do you have a poisonous tongue?!" "My tongue is just fine," Emily said, a smirk playing on her lips. "You're the one who needs a checkup." Seriously? This little white flower wasn't so innocent after all! "You…" Brenda sputtered. "Sis, I'm giving you my most prized possession—my favorite necklace. It's sisterly love, who knows when we'll see each other again…" Melissa, playing the good sister, rushed forward. Just as she reached Emily’s backpack… Out fell a ruby necklace! Everyone was shocked. Melissa gasped, "How…" The ruby necklace she was about to give Emily somehow fell out of Emily's bag. Could it be...? Emily smirked. Was this a setup? "Melissa's necklace? How'd that get in your bag?" Brenda couldn't believe it. She yelled, "Richard, get over here! This ingrate is stealing Melissa's necklace before she leaves! We raised a viper!" Richard rushed over, clearly stunned. "What in the world is going on?" "It's okay, Mom and Dad…" Melissa quickly jumped in, saying sweetly, "I was gonna give this necklace to Sis, so it doesn't matter if she took it herself." "No way! If she took it, that's theft! If you gave it to her, it’s a gift!" Brenda was furious. "You little thief!" "Mom, don't say that!" Melissa picked up the necklace and gave it to Emily. "Sis, Mom's right. I know why you took it. You need to prepare for the future, right? I heard things aren't easy for you, this necklace might come in handy someday. You keep it." The maids chimed in, "Miss Melissa, you're so sweet! That necklace is worth a fortune!" "It was custom-made for you by top designers!" "It's even engraved with your name!" "Miss Melissa loves it so much, and she's giving it to Miss Emily…" "Miss Emily was so rude, but you're still so kind. You have such a big heart!"…Melissa basked in the praise. She gave Emily a kind smile, "Sis needs it more than I do." Everyone praised her, contrasting her with Emily. The more they compared, the more Emily seemed like a total loser! Except for her looks, she couldn’t compare with Melissa! Brenda snatched the necklace, "You poor thing, she's a bottomless pit; you could throw ten necklaces at her and it wouldn't be enough!"
