I thought again of that night I found out my mother had died—in a sea of glass and gasoline. The night my father fled the scene of a crime of his making with a bottle of brandy and never came back. When I was not much older than Jamie, I knew the terror of being all alone in the world, of having no one to help you or care about you or save you. I could conjure that feeling in an instant. It could well up in me with no warning at all. I was so grateful that I could give her a chance to live a different life, have a different story. I was so grateful that I wasn’t that little girl anymore. I had all these people around me to love me. I had this family I had built for myself. Yes, I had lost three men I had loved too, but I wasn’t alone. You aren’t alone, I reminded myself, calming myself down, backing away from the ledge of my biggest fear.

“You are going to be absolutely magnificent! I can’t wait to see the show!” I told Jamie.

Audrey skittered in behind her in her Beauty and the Beast gown, a yellow confection of cheap tulle and thickly applied glitter. Brenna trailed in last in all black.

“And who are you?” Charlotte asked.

“I’m the director,” Brenna said importantly. “So I need to blend in.”

We all cracked up as she said, “Come on, Audrey,” and the three sisters made their way to the porch.

“They are really something else,” Grace said. She paused, taking a sip of wine. “So, why do we think your sister is here?” She raised her eyebrow at me.

“Oh, she needs money,” I said offhandedly. That’s usually why she showed up. And that was her excuse for not being able to take in her daughter and grandchildren. And for years and years, I’d been able to give it to her. But circumstances had changed for me, at least for now. I couldn’t be her money tree. I was strongly considering going back to work at the school—if they would have me, that is. But they had openings, and I’d left them on positive terms. It’s not you, it’s me was true for once. It wasn’t great money, but it was enough to get me by. But, more than the money, I felt like I was ready. I missed the children and the sense of community. I missed feeling like I was making an impact. And if I wasn’t going to be at the mommune, I needed something to occupy my time.

“Nice,” Charlotte said. “Well, I guess if you know what to expect, you’ll never be disappointed.”

I smiled at her and patted her hand. “Listen to me going on and on. How are things with Bill?”