I knew she wouldn’t want to leave, but she hadn’t wanted to leave New York either, so I figured a part of her would be happy. Then again, this wasn’t exactly the perfect way for her to find out about my plans. Thanks, Alice. Really.

Before I could respond, Iris said in a strained, devastated voice, somewhere between screaming and crying, “And it’s not like I can stay here because Alice is moving in with Elliott!”

Everyone swiveled to look at Alice.

“What?” Julie asked.

“Honey, we can talk about this later,” I said to Iris.

But before the sentence was even out of my mouth, Iris was flying out the porch door. Ben scrambled out of his chair to follow her.

“I’m so sorry,” Alice said to me, her hand on her forehead. “It just flew out of my mouth. I am such an idiot.”

Delia chimed in, “Making a big deal about my daughter leaving when you’re the one leaving her.”

Alice took a deep breath, and I could see her returning to herself. “Del,” she said, “I would never leave her. I’ll give her all the time she needs. But Julie is right. I love Elliott, and I do want a future with him.”

“I sensed that, Alice. And I want you to be happy,” Julie said.

Delia rolled her eyes, and I was shocked at how much hatred I was able to find for a woman I didn’t really even know.

But I was also gobsmacked about Alice and Elliott. I couldn’t unpack that right now though. “I’m going to go check on Iris,” I said.

Merit stood up. “No, no. Let me. I think that might go over better.”

I had been worried about them being under the same roof, but gosh, what a good kid that Merit had turned out to be. He was so mature, so wise beyond his years. He took care of everyone in this house like it was his job. And he was just a kid, something I had to remind myself of.

“I’m right here if you need me. Okay?”

He nodded. “Okay. But she’ll be fine. She just needs time to cool off.”

Emma looked up and said, “You know, Mom isn’t that great at puzzles. I think I should go help.”

Smart girl. This wasn’t my drama around this table, and I had inserted myself way too far into the fire already. I’d gotten burned, too.

“You know, I think I’d better take those tacos in there.”

I gathered the plates and left the other women behind. Voices rose around the table again, but I didn’t really care what they were saying anymore. All I could think about was my child, out there on that beach, hating me with all her heart.