Baby Bitch (Bitches and Queens)

by Rachael James

  After everyone was finished eating, Kenyon and Abby wandered over to the family room to watch the TV. McKenna preferred staying with the adults. Their conversation topics varied but often sidetracked to the season’s fashions. As they were debating women’s handbags versus the clutch, Abby loudly called out, “Nana, you’re on television again.”

  “What? I didn’t think your latest book was going to be released until the summer,” Sam questioned, confused as a photograph filled the wide screen. “Abby, turn that up so we can hear.”

  Hannah stared blankly at the television set but inwardly cringed with a ball of fury. The next time she was in New York, she was going to wring Pierre’s neck.

  “A single photograph has set the fashion world abuzz, sparking the rumors that Hannah Fairbanks is coming out of retirement. Fashion designers and magazine editors around the globe are set to wage a bidding war of historic portions to be the first to capture this elusive beauty. Here to tell us more is our fashion correspondent, Rory Jan. Rory, what can you tell us?”

  “Turn that off,” Hannah hissed.

  “There has been no official word from Miss Fairbank’s publicist, but most industry experts agree that if she walks, she will do so for Gustuv Christensen. What we do know is that Hannah has not released an official photograph since she retired twenty years ago to focus on her writing career and her two children that she shares with Willow Mallory…”

  Hannah stormed across the room and turned off the television set since no one else had listened to her. When she looked up, she discovered that she was the center of their undivided attention, though they were all looking up with varied expressions. None of the expressions were as heated or hurt as McKenna’s.

  “I can’t believe you,” McKenna screamed as she stood with such force that the heavy, wood chair fell behind her.

  “Oh, Hannah,” Willow groaned softly. “How could you do this?”

  “I didn’t do anything,” Hannah clipped as she walked over to gather the dirty dishes and take them to the kitchen. Both Willow and Sam were on her heels.

  “What the hell is going on?” Sam asked.

  “I took McKenna to New York last week to meet with Pierre,” Hannah answered.

  “That little French prick,” Sam dismissed. “Why?”

  “To build her portfolio,” Hannah admitted guiltily. “I’m sorry Sam, but you never have been objective where she is concerned.”

  Willow was more worried about her daughter than Sam’s bruised ego. “And you told me he said she was a very pretty girl.”

  “He did,” Hannah declared.

  “Then why was it your photograph that was flashed on the television?” Willow countered.

  “He said she was a very pretty girl, but that she was no Hannah Fairbanks.”

  Before Willow could respond, they heard a heartbreaking gasp. In horror, they discovered that McKenna had followed them to the kitchen and overheard the entire conversation.

  “Baby…” Hannah pleaded.

  “I hate you!” McKenna screeched.

  “McKenna, you don’t understand,” Hannah cried as she started to follow her.

  Sam reached for her hand to stop her. “You’re the very last person she wants to talk to right now. Let me handle this,” he said.

  “Knock, knock,” Sam announced outside McKenna’s bedroom door.

  “Go away!”

  Sam opened the door and walked inside uninvited. “And miss all the fun? I heard this is where the party is.”

  “I don’t want to talk about it, Sam,” McKenna cried.

  His heart went out to the devastated little princess. He had no doubt that she would bounce back from this setback in a few days, but right now, her heart was broken. McKenna’s problem was that she had to be the best at everything she ever did. Then again, what queen didn’t think that way? In her mind, Hannah Fairbanks was the best, but she was determined to be better. Reaching for a box of tissues, he walked across the room and sat down on the bed beside her. “Princess, your mascara is running. How many times have I told you—waterproof isn’t an option. It’s a necessity.”

  McKenna sullenly reached for a tissue to wipe her face and then for another one to blow her nose. It was on the tip of his tongue to remind her that excessive rubbing wasn’t required and would only cause irritation and redness, but Sam held back.

  “You know, there are infinitely worse things in this life than being told you’re not Hannah Fairbanks,” Sam reflected. “For starters, being said you are.”

  “You wouldn’t understand.”

  “I guess not,” Sam shrugged indifferently. “But I do know that Pierre Andre is a little French asshole. I also know that he didn’t make her career—she made his. And frankly, I have seen more attractive horse’s asses than some of the faces he declares beauties. He is one photographer—not the end-all-be-all of fashion.”

  “It doesn’t matter now,” McKenna hissed. “She purposefully sabotaged my career. Now, I’ll only ever be known as her daughter.”

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Sam exclaimed. “How about you jump off the crazy train for a second? Why would she sabotage your career?”

  “Obviously, she was just using me to reestablish her brand.”

  “McKenna,” Sam chuckled wearily. “Do you have any idea how ridiculous that sounds? She never needed you to reestablish anything. Her former career has always been there just waiting for her to return. Over the years, she has turned down millions because she doesn’t want that life anymore. She would never do anything to intentionally hurt you. She loves you. Family is everything to her. Cut her a little slack—she can’t help being what she is.”

  Chapter 6

  Kenyon figured whatever Sam had said to McKenna hadn’t made her feel all that better because she spent the rest of the day pouting inside her room. She didn’t emerge until after their moms went out on an emergency shopping errand. No doubt, they were buying her some fabulous consolation prize.

  He cast her only a perfunctory glance as she walked warily past him towards the kitchen. Sometimes he couldn’t stand McKenna. She wasn’t happy unless the whole world revolved around her. Kenyon stopped playing her game years ago. Life would probably be better if their parents would stop too. But no, they babied her, both of them were just as guilty, and as a result, she had grown into a little bitch.

  He heard her messing around in the kitchen for a few minutes before she walked back into the living room, carrying a glass of water. She was hovering over his shoulder. He hated it when she did that. It wasn’t as if she was interested in the video game he was playing. She was only waiting to see if he had the other players muted as their moms always insisted he do whenever they were around. Although they both claimed to abhor the violence, whenever Willow wasn’t around, Hannah would sometimes sit down and play with him. She was a pretty decent gamer too and ruthless as hell.

  Kenyon paused the game. Looking over his shoulder, he groaned, “What?”

  “Nothing,” McKenna hissed. “I was just watching you play.”

  “Didn’t Sam make you feel better?” he taunted.

  “Shut up, Kenyon!”

  “He only pretends to take your side, you know. He would never really go against her,” Kenyon declared.

  McKenna walked around to his side of the sofa. “Sam would never lie to me,” she spat adamantly.

  “Whatever,” Kenyon retorted as he rolled his eyes. “Sam lies all the time—like when he claims to be our brother.”

  “I know Mommy never legally adopted him,” McKenna said.

  “God McKenna, you’re so stupid sometimes. Have you ever stopped to wonder how you could be so much like someone that you weren’t biologically related too?”

  “What are you saying?” McKenna whispered in horror as the implications filled her insides with a cold wave of dread.

  “Sam isn’t our brother. He’s our donor. Maybe if you would have spent some time actually looking at yourself in the mirror and not trying to see wha
t wasn’t there, you might have figured that out a long time ago like I did.”

  “No,” McKenna gasped. “No,” she repeated as tears flooded her eyes and choked her throat. “You’re wrong!”

  Reaching for her phone, she dialed Sam. When he picked up, she didn’t even bother with a greeting, but instead stormed straight into the heart of the matter. “Are you the donor?”

  “What?” Sam questioned, befuddled.

  “Tell me you are not our donor,” McKenna screamed into the line.

  Sam paused a moment too long. Hot tears streamed down her face as she covered her mouth to hold in the gut-wrenching sobs that threatened to overwhelm her.

  “McKenna, I’m coming over. We’ll talk about it then.”

  “No!” McKenna screamed a few minutes later when they stood face-to-face once again in her bedroom. Only she wasn’t taking this lying down. She was pacing back and forth like a mad woman, pulling at her hair. Sam had never seen her this upset.

  “McKenna, please,” Sam pleaded. “You have to understand…”

  “I don’t have to understand anything,” McKenna screeched. “How many times, Sam? How many times have I asked you about our donor? You knew how important this was to me, and you sat back and said nothing. Does Abby know the truth?”

  Sam clenched his jaw tight and looked away, refusing to answer. His silence spoke volumes.

  “Oh my God,” McKenna cried. “I’m the only one that didn’t know. I am the laughingstock of this family. When I’m not around, do you guys sit around and talk about what a stupid little fool I’ve been?”

  “McKenna,” Sam declared firmly. “You know none of us would ever do that. When your parents came to me and said they wanted to have a baby, Kate and I weren’t ready to have children yet. We had several long discussions and in the end, I did it because of everything she had done for me. She saved my life, and it didn’t feel right saying no. Had I had any inkling someone like you would be the result, I may have reconsidered.”

  “What!” McKenna sobbed.

  “Fuck,” Sam growled. “That didn’t come out the way I meant it.”

  “Get out!” McKenna screamed.

  “No wait…”

  “Get out… Get out… Get out!” McKenna raged as she began throwing anything she could get her hands on in his direction.

  As soon as Hannah and Willow walked through the garage door, they heard the commotion drifting down from upstairs and rushed forward. Seeing Kenyon sitting casually on the sofa playing his game, they both came to a sudden halt.

  “What’s going on?” Hannah asked.

  “Take a guess,” Kenyon retorted.

  Sam suddenly appeared, taking the steps two at a time. He didn’t stop until he was in Hannah’s face. Pointing angrily at her, he yelled, “You promised me you wouldn’t tell her until she was ready!”

  “Tell her what? What are you talking about?” Hannah asked.

  “You told her about it,” Sam answered.

  “No,” Hannah gasped in horror as her eyes drifted up the stairs.

  “Sorry guys,” Kenyon shrugged. “I was the one who told her.”

  Before Hannah could respond, she heard a bloodcurdling, piercing scream.

  “Mom-my!”

  Glancing back and forth between the stairs and Sam, Hannah let out weary sigh. She patted his arm reassuringly. “She’ll be fine.”

  Once she gone, Sam looked back and found Willow glaring at him.

  “What?” he questioned defensively.

  Willow growled as she pushed past him towards the stairs.

  “W-w-why?” McKenna sobbed, crying so hard she was practically hyperventilating.

  Hannah walked in calmly and pulled her in her arms. McKenna struggled for several moments, trying to pull away, until she eventually grew limp in her mother’s arms. “Calm down, McKenna. Just breathe,” Hannah whispered as she stroked her hair and led her towards the bed.

  “Why didn’t you tell me the truth?”

  “We were going to tell you when you were ready,” Hannah answered evenly.

  “I’m eighteen,” McKenna sobbed.

  “And clearly not ready,” Hannah said as she pulled down the blankets. “You need to lie down for a bit. You’ve had a very bad day.”

  Once McKenna was settled, Hannah stretched out behind her and stroked her hair. She spotted Willow anxiously pacing outside her bedroom and waved her away. Willow was fully equipped to handle a wide range of emotional reactions but hysterics had never been her forte.

  “Your mom and I were desperate to have a baby. In fact, I don’t think there have ever been two babies who were wanted more than you and Kenyon.”

  “Sam didn’t want me. He said so,” McKenna declared.

  “That isn’t what he meant. You know his words get jumbled when he is upset,” Hannah denied. “But I couldn’t just let any sperm go into your mom. I wanted it to come from someone I knew, someone I trusted, someone I loved very much. I wanted to be as much as part of you as possible, and that couldn’t happen from some random stranger. The day we discovered she was pregnant with you and Kenyon was the happiest day of my life—until the day you were born.”

  “You still should have told me before now,” McKenna cried.

  “We were. That was the plan. We were going to be open and very modern about everything, but…”

  “But what?” McKenna demanded.

  “But I stopped it,” Hannah admitted quietly.

  “Why? Why would you do this to me?”

  “It was never because of you—it was because of Sam. He fell head over heels in love with you the moment he saw you. How could he not? You look just like him. You talk just like him. You two have identical mannerisms. The two of you are so connected that you can finish each other’s sentences. By the time you and Kenyon were old enough to start asking questions, Abby had been born. And…” Hannah paused as she thought of a way to properly vocalize the impressions that she had kept to herself. “…I realize that in your eyes Sam can do no wrong…”

  “Sam is a lying asshole,” McKenna declared.

  “All right, well, I do realize you feel that way now, but that is a relatively new emotion. The thing about Sam is that fatherhood has always been a struggle for him. It doesn’t come naturally. I knew he would never able to acknowledge the role as father-in-name-only, especially for you. So, I thought it was best he didn’t acknowledge it all. Think of it as a beehive.”

  “Oh God, Mommy,” McKenna groaned. “Are you going to take up beekeeping?”

  “No,” Hannah said flatly. “I’m not, but I do know that there can only be one queen in a hive. If there are two queens, they will spend all their time trying to destroy each other. I realize you and Sam wouldn’t have been that extreme, but the two of you are so like-minded you would have fought incessantly. I wasn’t purposefully deceiving you—I was trying to preserve your relationship with Sam.”

  McKenna didn’t care. She didn’t care about Sam. She didn’t care about Hannah. The two people she trusted and admired more than anyone else in the whole world had been lying to her since the day she was born. She didn’t care about anything except hurting them both the way they had hurt her.

  The piercing screams had quieted down to a few muffled whispers. Sam couldn’t hear what Hannah was saying but whatever it was seemed to calm McKenna down. He reasoned that must be progress of sorts, but he didn’t feel any relief. In frustration, he ran his fingers through his hair. What on God’s earth had possessed Kenyon to tell her? Oh fuck! Kenyon is McKenna’s twin. It wasn’t as if he had forgotten that fact—all right, maybe for a second there he had, but the twins were as different as night and day. So, if Kenyon knew he was McKenna’s biological father then he knew…

  Sam walked over and sat down on the sofa beside him. “You know, Kenyon, if there is ever anything you want to discuss, I’m here for you.”

  Kenyon paused his game and looked up thoughtfully. “Thanks Sam. I appreciate that. Good talk,” he sa
id and ended with a fist bump.

  Inwardly, Sam rolled his eyes. That was ten seconds of needless doubt and worry. What had he possibly been thinking? Kenyon had emerged from the womb with the mentality of a fully rational adult.

  “Hey, there is something actually,” Kenyon added, sounding almost uncertain. “I was wondering if maybe sometime you could teach me how to take photographs?”

  “Sure, anytime.”

  Kate was waiting up for Sam when he came home. “How did it go?” she asked worriedly.

  “Well, I think I would honestly rather have a vasectomy without an anesthetic than have to go through that again.”

  “That bad,” Kate commiserated. “What about Kenyon?”

  “Kenyon was fine. A nuclear bomb could explode in his front yard, and Kenyon would be fine. He was the one who told McKenna.”

  “How did he know?”

  “I guess he just figured it out,” Sam groaned. “So, it is official now. I am the worst father of the year. My daughter hates me. My…” Sam struggled to come up with the right word, “…other whatever hates me too.”

  “Abby and McKenna both just need some time.”

  “No,” Sam declared adamantly. “It’s karma. It’s payback for what a little shit I was to my dad. I know somewhere he is looking down, rolling with laughter.”

  Chapter 7

  The next Friday at school, McKenna found her old friend, Lex, at her locker after second period. She and Lex were middle school friends that had drifted apart over the years, although they did still occasionally socialize. For a few years, they had been inseparable, but that stopped once Lex started running with a fast crowd. It didn’t help either that McKenna had caught her and Kenyon having sex during one of their sleepovers in the middle of ninth grade. Lex was just the first friend Kenyon had slept with. After he began systematically seducing them one-by-one, McKenna realized she could no longer hold that as a standard for the basis of friendship. Still, it would be nice to hang out with a girl who hadn’t fucked her twin brother, but that probably wasn’t going to happen as long as they resided in the same state.