“That’s way too late! I told you to get out of the city by two thirty!” I groaned. “Honey. We haven’t seen each other in weeks. I wanted to get you in bed before this party. Now you’ll have to come straight to my mother’s.”

“I know. I’m so sorry. I had all this paperwork to file, and time just got away from me. I’ll be there as soon as I can. I’ve missed you so much.”

I sighed. “It’s okay. Just . . . drive carefully. I love you.”

“Love you, too.” He clicked off.

I got ready, which meant showering downstairs (I’d installed a makeshift showerhead) and being licked by Pepper as I got out (she loved the taste of my soap). I got dressed in a skirt and shirt, then ditched it for a flowered dress and little sweater. Couldn’t find my blue pumps so I wore the cowboy boots that made Pepper bark, and so I left the house with a dog who simultaneously loved me and feared my footwear. Getting her into the car took some effort, torn as she was. Right as I pulled up to Mom’s, I realized I’d offered to bring wine, so I had to run to the package store and buy some that would pass the snob test. Jules and Oliver had a wine cellar and a wine fridge.

Finally, I got to the house. Pepper liked my dad, and he seemed to be interested in her. She bolted for the dining room the minute we got in. From the sound of it, people were already here.

“There you are,” Mom said. “I said six o’clock. It’s almost seven. Your friend Carter made it on time from New York. You had two miles, Sadie.”

“I know, and Alexander will be late, too, I’m afraid. Here.” I handed her the wine. “Hi, Mom. You look pretty.”

She sighed and took the two wine bottles into the kitchen. I checked on my dad before going into the family room, where everyone else seemed to be. Sure enough, Pepper was already curled up on his bed.

“You’re Pepper’s favorite, Daddy,” I said.

He didn’t look at me. He was just looking ahead, but his hand was on Pepper’s bony little head.

“You like her, Dad? Do you like the dog?”

He looked at me then, and my heart leaped. “You do, right? You like Pepper?”

She licked his hand, and he smiled.

Oh, my God, he smiled! “Good job, Daddy,” I whispered around the immediate lump in my throat.

“Hey. I didn’t know you were here.” It was Jules. “Where’s your boy toy? Also, did you know your friend Carter is gay?”

“Why, yes, I did, since I’ve known him for years and years. Jules, Dad just smiled at me! Because of Pepper!”

“Right. You got a dog.”

“Juliet. Our father just smiled.”