Her morning began with a headache. She struggled to do her routine. The things she did to prepare for the day seemed like impossible feats at the moment.  Couldn’t she just sleep in a little longer? Jessica had been expecting a call from her mother, but when the phone rang, the strange voice on the other end said, “It’s time you learned who you really are. “As she pulled back the warm blanket from her body, she sighed heavily. Jessica didn’t have time for this. She had a deadline to meet. Nor did she want to take the time for this call. The person on the other end of the line was her brother. He was using a funny voice that would distract her, like she wouldn’t know it was him. He was adamant about joking with her about being adopted. He said that she was really the child of the Cabbage Patch. You know those dolls that were “the thing” back in the ’80s. Jessica slid on her slippers and bathrobe.  It was a chilly January morning. She stumbled to the coffee maker. While her coffee brewed, she sat down at the kitchen table. She looked out of the window that overlooked the street where the bookstore she owned with her mom and brother was. Jessica saw her mom opening the store. Jessica believed her mom wanted an early start. She must be arranging things for my book signing. That’s probably the reason her mom didn’t call this morning as usual. She must be excited and wants things just right for this day. The night before was a family get-together with pizza and the three amigos. A name her brother would say when he was talking about our mom, him, and me. We made cheese straws and mints. We had peanuts and Ritz crackers on cheese slices to go with sausage balls and green grapes. I smelled the coffee was ready. I opened the fridge to grab the creamer to sweeten my hot, steaming cup of Joe. Today was going to be a fun day. This was a day of celebration. I had written my first novel, which was now a bestseller. This was the life of my dreams.