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And you're telling us now?
We didn't know until now.
Mal, are you listening?
Are you okay?
Mal…
Mal…
I don't absorb another word of conversation. We get through appetizers, dinner, and dessert, and I don't absorb a single thing.
I walk Mom and Dad to their car and close with a hug.
Mom whispers something about how I'm the strong one, the one who holds the family together.
Dad shoots me that stoic paternal look. He shakes his head. This isn't good, but you can handle it.
I watch them drive away. Back to the house. My house. But it's their house. I don't have a place that's mine. I don't have a place where I can scream that this is fucking bullshit.
Piper is leaning against my car, her arms folded over her chest. Her expression is more angry than sad.
Kit is next to her. Not quite next to her. It's at least a foot. He's giving her space.
She looks at me. "This doesn't change anything."
"Piper—" It's all I can say. Piper isn't going to change her feelings about this. But I can't let her leave things this ugly if Mom really is…
"Who the fuck does she think she is to walk out of my life for the better part of a decade then come back for my sympathy now?" Piper pushes off the car. "I love you, Mal, but you're a sucker if you let her play you."
"Play me how?" I ask.
Piper shakes her head. "You think this is going to change things? That she's going to spend her last few years or months or days going to your shows and asking about your life and actually being a mother?"
Deep down, I know she's right.
But my heart is holding on to that possibility.
"Where's Ethan?" I ask.
"He took Vi home. She's more upset than he is." She looks to the restaurant door.
That's Lacey, coming down the steps.
Looking at me like I'm about to break.
Like she wants to put me back together.
Kit leans in to whisper something in Piper's ear.
She shakes her head. "No."
"Baby—"
"No!" She takes a step forward. Her heel catches on a rock but she steadies herself. "Your family is your family. Mine is mine. And I don't want to hear shit about how I'm supposed to love Mom because her time is limited. If she wants my forgiveness, she should apologize."
Lacey moves down the stairs. She moves towards me. She slides her arms around me and pulls me into a tight embrace. "I'm sorry."
