“Sorry, one sec,” she says, typing. She huffs in frustration and types some more. Finally, she stops. “I’m so sorry about that. I’m planning my wedding. It’s highway robbery out there.”
“You’re getting married?” I say, louder and more disbelieving than I mean to. Everyone stares at me.
“Why is that so surprising to you, Isabel?” she asks.
I frown, trying to figure it out myself. “I don’t know. I mean, you run a therapy group for children of divorce. Don’t you want to stay as far away from love as possible?” I know I do. I try for a light laugh, but I can hear how forced it sounds.
Ms. Waters tilts her head. “You don’t believe in love anymore, Isabel?”
I’m saved from having to answer by Preethi. “You’re too old for this to be your first marriage!” she says brightly and loudly.
Gray looks at her. “Oh, like getting married younger would be any better.”
“Marriage is overrated at any age,” I add.
Gray glances at me. “Right? You’d have to be dumb not to see what an obvious risk it is.”
“All that pain,” I say.
“And disappointment,” Gray adds.
“People,” says Ms. Waters.
Gray aims a finger at me. “You’re cynical.” He sounds almost impressed.
“Realistic,” I counter.
Ms. Waters clears her throat loudly. “This is actually my second marriage.”
Gray barks out a laugh. “I guess that makes you the perfect person for this, then.”
“Don’t be a jerk. This is hard enough,” Joey says, surprising us all with sudden earnestness.
Something—I’m pretty sure it’s pain—flashes across Gray’s face before he hides it behind a scowl. When I look at Ms. Waters, I can tell she saw it, too.
Ms. Waters claps her hands twice, calling our attention back to her. “Let’s start with agenda item one, getting to know each other. Lilliam, we’ll start with you. Describe yourself in one word.”
Lilliam moves her perfectly coiled hair from one shoulder to the other. She finger-taps her pendant. “Connoisseur,” she says.
It’s such a perfect description that I can’t help smiling. I find myself checking if Gray finds it funny, too, but he’s still upset and scowling down at his hands.
Joey’s next. “I don’t know. One word? How about person emoji, ha ha!” He laughs for a long time. None of us are sure what that means. None of us are sure why he’s laughing. None of us point out thatperson emojiis two words.
Ms. Waters gestures to Preethi that it’s her turn.
“Mine’s easy!Singleton!I’m an only child! I hang out way too much with adults! I need friends my own age!”
“I’ll be your friend,” Joey says. From the way he’s looking at her, I’m pretty sure he wants to bemorethan her friend.
Preethi, however, is oblivious. “Thanks!”
It’s Gray’s turn next. He slumps down in his chair. “Isn’t my word already in your files?” he says to Ms. Waters. “Angry.”
“Is that the word you would choose for yourself?” she asks.
He shrugs. “No.”
“Then what?”
