Chapter 5: Free Daycare

The next Sunday I made brunch for eight, because Neil said we should plan his party "like a normal family."

I made quiche and cut a fruit platter. I squeezed a pitcher of orange juice by hand.

Kristen came first, with a bakery box and a hug.

Shannon came next, wearing a yellow dress and no earrings.

Neil's friend from the office arrived with his wife.

The two of them took the good chairs by the window.

Cody and Kristen's son ate in the den with a movie on.

I carried the last plate to the dining table and sat down at the end.

"Okay," Neil said, clapping his hands. "Guest list."

"Forty," Kristen said. "Minimum."

"Fifty," said the friend from the office. "Neil's a legend."

Everyone laughed. I wrote it down.

"Who's doing the food?" Shannon asked.

She asked it sweetly, looking at her plate.

"Maggie," three people said together.

They laughed again, and I smiled, because that was the job.

"I'll do the main dishes," I said. "Someone else can bring dessert."

"I'll do the cake," Shannon said quickly. "I want to. It's my gift."

She said it to me, and for the first time all weekend she met my eyes.

I looked back at her for as long as I could stand it.

"That would be lovely," I said.

I stood up and said, "I'll get more coffee."

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