Jennifer burned the first batch of dinner rolls.
Thomas brought a bottle of wine nobody liked.
Linda asked Diana a question about her divorce without realizing Diana was not divorced.
Frank turned the television too loud.
It was imperfect.
I fit beautifully.
Halfway through dinner, Owen knocked over his water.
It spread across the table.
Jennifer jumped up for towels.
Michael moved plates.
I reached automatically to help.
Then stopped.
Not because I was proving anything.
Because three other adults already had it.
I sat back down.
Linda saw me.
She smiled.
I kicked her lightly under the table.
After dinner, Jennifer carried coffee into the living room.
She handed me a cup.
“Decaf.”
“You remembered.”
“I remember things.”
“Some.”
She rolled her eyes.
Michael came in carrying an envelope.
“Mom.”
I looked at it suspiciously.
“No.”
He laughed.
“You don’t know what it is.”
“Every envelope from this family costs me money.”
Thomas nearly choked on his coffee.
Michael sat beside me.
“Open it.”
Inside was a check.
I stared at the amount.
Five thousand dollars.
Then at him.
“What is this?”
