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“She said she was on her way. I’m sure she’s close.”

Sean fumbles around with his hands, watching the door. I graze his arm, trying to get his attention.

“Are you really that nervous to see her?”

He glances at his mom. She looks distracted, but she could easily be listening in.

“A little bit, yeah. Our last conversation wasn’t exactly pleasant.” He runs his fingers through his hair, pushing it back.

“What happened?”

“She just—” he begins, but the door creaks open grabbing his attention.

It’s his sister and her kids. I haven’t seen her since high school; she looks good, but exhausted. Both of the girls are clinging to her arms, her eyes sunken in. They have matching ladybug rain boots on, dripping water onto the front mat.

She smiles at her dad and they talk quietly, greeting one another. I stay at the table, trying not to divert any attention onto myself.

Just be cool. You’ve always gotten along with Bailey.

She greets Sean with no hostility at all, but as she leans in for a side hug, she spots me.

“Oh,” she mutters.

“Hi, Bailey, it’s been a while,” I say with a light smile.

“Sure has,” she says, a smug look appearing on her face.

I’m going to assume now that the fight was in fact about me. I shift my glance to Sean, who’s already staring at me. Clearly, something is wrong here, and Sean knows exactly what it is.

◆◆◆

Kathy’s laugh is the most contagious noise I’ve ever heard. You can see how happy she is to have her family together. Bailey’s girls are extremely calm, which I’m not used to seeing for a five and seven-year-old.

“I’m sorry that Daniel couldn’t make it this year. He got stuck on an assignment. He couldn’t get out of it,” Bailey says, shimmying in her seat.

Based on everything I’ve heard tonight, her husband is a detective. I would have pictured her with a rancher or a farmer. Not in a bad way, she was just always so gentle, and she loved her cowgirl boots. Detectives always seem so hardcore. Good thing he isn’t here—I’d be sweating like I was about to take a lie detector test.

“Oh sweetie, we know how it goes.” Kathy has had a few glasses of wine in her system now, she’s swaying.

It’s nice being around a family that has stuck together through thick and thin. I was always envious of families like this. It’s something I aspired to have myself. To break the cycle of hurt and toxicity.

I slide my phone under the table and quickly text my dad.

Let’s go out to dinner this weekend. Call me with a good time that works for you. xoxo 5:22pm

When I look back up, Mark, their dad, winks at me. He’s been drinking whiskey all night.

Sorry, I mouth to him. I always find it rude when people are on their phones at the table. I’m a hypocrite.

Mark just waves his hand in the air, swiping away as if it’s no problem.

The youngest of Bailey’s girls starts kicking her feet and asks, “Can I go play outside now?”

“Yes.” Bailey hesitates for a moment. “Put on your beanie and gloves, please. Don’t go in the puddles. I don’t want you guys getting sick.”

The girls jump up and race toward the door.

“So, Billie—” Bailey cocks her head to the side, observing me. “You’ve been as quiet as a mouse.”