I stared at him.
"So you risked your job too?"
He shifted the bags.
"And if I lose it, you lose too. You and the girls. So you're not going to do anything stupid."
He carried the groceries inside. I stood on the porch a moment longer, and I knew exactly what my next move would be.
"You lose too."
***
That Friday evening, when Dana arrived to collect the twins, I put my suitcase beside their bags in her trunk.
"You can come now," she said. "You don't have to sit through dinner."
Through the window, I could see Ryan arranging wineglasses.
She was offering everything she could. I wished it were enough to stop me being afraid.
"You can come now,"
I kissed both girls before Dana drove away.
Then I went inside to finish the meal.
***
Mr. Holloway arrived at seven carrying wine.
He shook Ryan's hand, and Gerald clapped them both on the back.
