“I was just brainstorming for a game.”
Her mother peered at the poster. “But this isn’t your handwriting.”
Erin opened her mouth but nothing came out.
“Did you have a friend over?” Joyce gasped and put her hand to her chest. “A man friend?”
“Mom!”
“Are you dating? Did he—” Joyce’s eyes opened wide as the realization hit her. “Did he make the food in the refrigerator?”
“Why would you say that?”
“Well, it’s not like you’re much of a cook.”
“Thanks a lot.”
Joyce settled back on the couch. “So, tell me everything!”
“There’s nothing to tell. Sorry to disappoint you, Mom, but no, I’m not seeing, dating, or cooking with any man.” Andy was a demon, she reasoned, and didn’t count.
Joyce let out a long sigh. “Is old Mark holding you back, honey?”
“Mom! First you’re telling me to get back together with him, next you’re calling him ‘Old Mark’ and grilling me about my new man-friend. Make up your mind.”
“I just want you to be happy.”
“I am happy.”
“Maybe you should find some new friends.”
“I had lunch with my work friend, Raya, today.” Erin left out the part about magic wands and demon-banishing.
“See? That’s lovely.”
Erin didn’t correct her. “In fact, she’s the one who made that poster.”
“Why didn’t you say so?”
“I didn’t want you to think she was crazy, or something.”
“Instead you wanted me to think you were crazy?”
Erin shrugged, unable to come up with an improvement on her spontaneous fabrication.
“I’m sure she’s very nice. Why don’t you invite her to church some time?”
Erin’s polite smile nearly slipped. “I think she already has a church.” A church with pentagrams instead of crosses, perhaps, but a religious institution all the same.
“Oh, well.”
After a pause, Erin spoke. “Did you come here for any particular reason, Mom?”
“Yes. Yes, I did. I came to talk to you about something. Are you comfortable?”
Anxiety prickled over Erin. “Yes, I’m comfortable. Why? You act like I need to be sitting down for this.”
“Genevieve has moved in with Mark.”
