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"I think Oakridge has been fed."

"Good."

She turns around.

"Where's Noah?"

"Upstairs. He was exhausted."

I nod. Mom heads for the kitchen, and I follow. For a few minutes, we clean without talking. I stack cups. She wraps cake. It almost feels normal. Almost.

Then Mom sets down the plastic wrap.

"Maddy, there's something we need to talk about."

I stop.

"What?"

"Lily's will."

Every muscle in my body tightens.

"What about it?"

Mom looks at me.

"She named you Noah's primary guardian."

For a second, I'm certain I heard her wrong.

"What?"

"I'm listed as his backup guardian, but Lily wanted you."

"No."

"Maddy."

"No, Mom. I can't."

"You don't have to decide anything today."

"There's nothing to decide. I have a life in New York. I have a restaurant, employees, responsibilities. I can't just walk away from all of that and become a parent overnight."

"He's not a responsibility. He's Noah."

"I know that."

My voice comes out sharper than I intend. I lower it.

"Of course I know that. I love him. But loving him and raising him are two completely different things."

"Yes, they are."

I stare at her. I expected an argument.

"She should have talked to me."