When Asher and Polly came back to the house and yelled, “Food’s here!” it was like hitting reset. Maggie had washed her face and changed her shirt, and walking into the kitchen was like entering a totally different place and time. Polly, Asher, Bob, Laura, Anna, and Libby were all bustling around getting plates and napkins, speaking in that chirpy tone of voice that brooks no rehashing of recent arguments, old scores, or anything controversial at all. Everything is fine, the tone says. I’m fine, you’re fine, we’re all fine. Maggie sighed inwardly; from years of professional experience and personal failure, she knew the argument would lurk like old laundry until it was properly aired. Then she spotted her strawberry milkshake and decided to let it lie for now. The argument, not the milkshake; the milkshake she was going to suck down with no hesitation at all.

Polly was in charge, pulling burgers from the bag and announcing each like the guy in a white wig at the doorway to a ball. Caramelized onions and bacon! Veggie burger with cheese! Major Onion Rings and the Right Honorable Lavinia Fries! Laura took her veggie burger and turned to Bob, who was about to start dividing their sides. She lowered her voice.

“Game?” she whispered, and he looked up quickly. Barely nodding, he turned and carried his plate away, thanking Asher and Polly as he went. Laura lingered for a few minutes, chatting to Polly about the bill, and what to do if there was another earthquake. Maggie advised her to put a pair of shoes under her bed and a flashlight in the shoes, then headed off to her private aerie, clutching her dinner. Smiling around the group, Laura turned and left, congratulating herself on her subtlety. Once clear of the kitchen, she dashed to Bob’s door and found it ajar. Pushing through, she saw he was already pulling up a game. She sat down ready to say very little and eat quite a lot.

He grinned at her. “Clean getaway?”

She nodded, reaching for an onion ring. “Is it bad we didn’t invite everyone?”

Bob shrugged. “Believe me, no one else in the house cares about baseball. I’ve tried.”

Laura nodded, comforted. She didn’t want to leave anyone out, but it wouldn’t be the same if she had to make conversation. With Bob all she had to do was watch and bicker pointlessly about the umpire. It was peaceful, like being home with her grandmother, not that she was going to mention that. Bob might be mellow as all get-out, but no guy likes to be told he reminds you of your granny. Besides, Polly would never let her hear the end of it, however much she explained she and Bob weren’t interested in each other that way. She looked over at him now, and waved her onion ring.

“These are good, you were right.”