Page 23 of In Every Chapter

I knocked on the bathroom door. “Hey, you okay?”

“Keep that foul bean elixir away from me,” Juliet muttered weakly from inside.

“Do you need anything?”

“For you to leave me to my misery in peace.”

I chuckled. “Right. Holler if you change your mind.”

After opening every downstairs window to air out the aromatic first-cup-of-the-morning smell and filling up the kettle on the stove, I let Rosie out into the backyard to do her business and sank down on the back step to enjoy the early morning coolness. By ten o’clock, the sun would be baking into the brown countryside.

Just another part of my usual routine with Paisley that I was doing solo.

My phone chimed, and I scanned the text from my oldest brother on our sibling group chat, which was different from the family group chat with all the spouses and my parents.

DALLAS:

Mama made us swear blood oaths that we wouldn’t hound you.

So this is me not hounding you, just making sure you’re both okay.

I chuckled and downed the last swig of coffee. With a family like mine, we tended to be up in each other’s business, but I appreciated Mama running interference.

ME:

You worry too much.

BRETT:

Joking is a coping mechanism, Grey.

ME:

And you guys tell me I’m the uptight one. We’re good, Doc. Coffee’s fresh, Jules is acting strange, and Pais is still sleeping.

CAL:

when is jules not acting weird

love you baby sis

My twin was allergic to punctuation, capitalization, and any sort of grammar when it came to texting. Cal’s texts usually needed a translator and were open for interpretation.

SHANE:

We’re here for whatever you need, got it?

ME:

Thanks.

DALLAS:

Seconding what Shane said to make sure you heard it. Ask for help if you need it.

Praying for you guys.

“Is it safe to come out?” Juliet called through the screen door.