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“Mine left all of us alone for two days because she forgot she had children. You know, the way some people forget their keys.”

“I swore off tea forever. And I loved tea! In fact, I refused to eat or drink anything she touched until I was emancipated. I spent years terrified I’d be roofied by my own mother.”

“Mineforgot she had children.”

“Mine’s dead.”

“Mine might as well be.”

“This,” Archer announced, “is a terrible game. And I think I’m calling a halt to it. Yeah, I’m definitely calling a halt. If you two will let me. And how the hell do you even know who wins?”

Leah grinned and sat up. “We both did. Or we both lost. Either way: I have to say I’m feeling better.”

“Good enough to go back out and face the throng?”

“Christ, no,” Leah said, flopping back down.