“People will be here soon.”
“I know how to manage my time.”
The back door slammed behind him.
***
I folded the grocery receipt and placed it in the kitchen drawer beside my dental estimate.
Then I carried the burgers outside.
Spencer had arranged the soda cans in straight rows.
“People will be here soon.”
“Does this look right, Mom?”
“It looks perfect.”
Anthony stole another piece of watermelon and ran when I caught him.
Sasha wrapped both arms around my waist.
“Mom, you smell like smoke.”
“That’s because I’ve become part barbecue.”
“It looks perfect.”
She laughed against my shirt.
***
For a little while, the day felt normal.
Relatives arrived with folding chairs and covered bowls. Music played near the patio. Michael’s mother kissed my cheek and told me I worked too hard.
His brother’s wife, Maya, arrived alone and kept checking her phone.
The day felt normal.
“Ryan’s dealing with some work trouble,” she said.
“Michael said the business had a bad year.”
Her expression shifted. “Is that what he told you?”
Before I could question her, someone called me from the grill.
Her reaction stayed with me.
