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Wren Hackett: That’s a vintage American Standard in the color Rain Forest! I want it!!!

Jade Clark: Wren, don’t do this. I promise you don’t need it.

Wren Hackett: IT’S A COLLECTIBLE. HUGH, LET ME BUY YOUR TOILET.

I watched Jade until she disappeared from view. When I finally pulled myself from my thoughts, Tammy stared at me.

“Not much has changed, huh?”

I was too old to be embarrassed about anything with Jade, but my cheeks grew warm anyway. “I guess not.”

Tammy huffed out a breath. “Should’ve seen this coming. What do you want for food?”

“You’re not gonna ask about . . . that?” I pointed to where Jade had stood.

She rolled her eyes. “You wouldn’t tell me if I did.”

“How do you know that?”

“Kid, you barely talked to me when you lived here. I doubt you want to now.”

“I . . .” I paused. I didn’t have to say a thing, but Tammy was right. Everyone else in town was doing a good job of starting conversations but not pushing it too far. I saw how they watched me. They expected me not to answer. “I’m not that same little jerk I was as a teen. I missed you guys.”

Tammy’s jaw fell open. “I’m sorry . . . what?”

“You heard me.”

“I just never thought I’d hear the words.” She shook her head.

“Are you gonna ask then?”

“Hm. No. I doubt either of you know what you’re doing anyway.”

“Wow.”

“Am I wrong?”

“No,” I muttered.

She laughed. “A few things have changed, but not everything. At least you’re entertaining.”

With a shake of my head, I went to sit in the booth. Out of habit, I sat alone.

Agnes followed.

“That’s some improvement,” Tammy said.

“He’s not that big of a turd,” Agnes muttered.

Tammy let out a loud laugh. “I love how spicy they are. I bet Jade does too. Who did they get it from?”

“Their mom.”

“Mommy is really funny!” Beatrice said.

Agnes looked down at her food with a frown.

“Was,” I mouthed at Tammy.