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It was the same green and cream sleeve, the same cup she had been handed five days ago by a woman named Mary who had known her last name when she had paid with cash.

She stood very still for a moment.

It's a popular coffee shop, but it’s a bit of a trek from this field to the coffee shop.

“Mom, did you see that?” Lisa screeched.

“See what, baby?”

“Kayla intercepted a pass.”

“That’s great, Lisa. Stay here while I go talk to Bree and Mandy’s moms. Okay?”

“Can I have one of the lemon bars in the tote?”

Sophia gave an absent nod as she headed toward Peggy and Lettie.

She was about ten feet away when Lettie looked up and saw her.

Something crossed Peggy's face. Quick and unmistakable. It was gone in a second, replaced by a smile that was the right shape, but Sophia had already seen it.

Fear.

“Sophia!” Peggy's voice was warm and easy. “Hey, isn't this game great?”

Sophia hesitated a step. “Yeah, I guess. We’re winning,” she agreed. “I’m sure the coach will put Mandy back in next quarter.”

“He pulled Mandy?” Peggy was clearly surprised. She hadn’t realized her daughter had been pulled out of the game.

Something was not right.

“It was just a second ago,” Sophia lied. She tipped her head toward the coffee Lettie was holding. “Looks like you both made a stop before the game.”

Lettie glanced nervously over at Peggy, then smiled. “Yeah, it’s now my favorite place for coffee. I think the barista uses nutmeg or something.”

“Yeah, that’s it,” Peggy muttered.

“Where's Dan?” Sophia asked. Conversational. Easy. “I haven't seen him.”

Something moved through Peggy. Small. Contained. “Working.” She shook her head. “He's been on crazy hours lately. This project they've got him on.” She waved a hand. “You know how it is.”

“Tom too,” Lettie offered, on cue, and it was just slightly too quick. “Same thing. Extra hours.” She glanced at the field. “So, it's just us girls today.”

“I know the feeling.”

Sophia looked at the field. Bree was moving into position, her ponytail swinging, nothing remarkable happening, but Lettie was watching her daughter with an intensity that had nothing to do with lacrosse.

She looked back at the two of them. Peggy was looking at the field too now. Both of them, cups in hand, eyes forward, done talking.

“Well,” Sophia said pleasantly. “I'll let you two catch up. Great to see you both.”

“You too,” Peggy said.

“Always,” Lettie said.

Sophia turned and walked back toward Lisa. She saw Cat’s little sister with her. She kept her pace slow and her expression easy. She watched Kayla cut across the field and make a clean pass and felt the surge of pride she always felt.

And underneath it, something cold was moving through her.