Thanks for Dinner

"I wish I didn't have to sit next to Joe," winked Alicia, nudging him with her elbow. As usual, the attempt got buried in his incessant frown. Everyone continued eating.

"Pass the turkey," said Mike. 

"Pass your mom," said Alicia. 

"She's your mom too, dumbass," said Mike, grabbing the turkey and glancing over at Joanne.

Joanne looked up sharply at Alicia. Her dark brown hair contrasted with her daughter's red, and their personalities had a similar discrepancy.

"I wish you wouldn't make those kinds of jokes, dear," said Joanne, trying to smile. Joe -- her favorite -- caught her eye for a moment before looking down quickly at his plate.

"I'll do the dishes," he said, rising from his chair. But Alicia grabbed his arm before he could leave.

"Sit down, Joe. Why can't you just be part of this family like a normal person?"

"Fuck," said Mike, "Just let him go."

"No!" shouted Alicia, tipsy from red wine. "Ever since we were little he's been like this. Distant as fuck. I'm your goddamned sister, you know that?"

Joe froze. His face turned red and began to contort strangely, like he couldn't decide what to say. 

"Joe --" started Joanne.  Mike opened his mouth to say something.

But before they could intercede, Joe blurted it out. "You're not my sister!"

The table went silent. Alicia froze. Mike put his head in his hands. 

"Joe," Joanne said softly.

"Fuck, man," said Mike.

Alicia let go of Joe's arm. "What's that supposed to mean? Of course I'm your sister."

More silence.

"Leesh, we meant to tell you," pleaded Mike.

"Tell me what?" Alicia snapped.

Mike looked around the table, until Joanne spoke up softly. "Mike, it's ok. I'll explain,"

She sighed. "Alicia, I'm sorry. You're not my biological daughter."

Tears came to Alicia's eyes as she opened her mouth, for once without words.

"Your father left you with me, just like he left the rest of us. We're family now. But I am not your birth mother."

Alicia stood up and turned around, rubbing her eyes. Joe sat back down slowly, hands shaking.

"I have to go," Alicia said quietly, voice muffled by her hands.  She picked up her purse and walked slowly toward the door.

Before reaching for the doorknob, she turned back toward the table where her adoptive family sat in stunned silence.

"Thanks for dinner," she said, and walked out the door.