(Karl POV)
" What else could there be?" my mother asked. "I have told you the entire story."
"No, there is something else you aren't telling me, or there are things that you do not know. Either way, there has to be more."
Before my mother could say anything else, I suddenly remembered the second thing that Dr. Hyder said on his way out the door.
"Hey, Nick, when is your sister's birthday?"
Nick gave me another strange look. "January 23, but you already know that."
"No, not Stephanie's. Astrid's."
"Oh. Well… I am not sure."
"What do you mean that you are not sure? Don't you all celebrate it every year? Get her a cake, give her some presents, sing happy birthday, that sort of thing?"
Nick shook his head. "No, we have not celebrated Astrid's birthday in a long time. I do not remember the last time that we celebrated it."
"Why not? I know your family celebrates birthdays. I have been there when you have celebrated your birthday and your parents' birthdays and Jenny's…."
