Mrs. Ianelli walked inside, scoped out the Christmas tree and then spotted me not-at-all hiding behind it by the fireplace. Her eyes swept right over to me, first perusing my face and then going down, down, down to the evidence of my and Jack’s misdeeds.

“Hi,” I said in greeting.

“Hello, Sara. Nice to meet you. I’m Caroline.”

Mormor came out of the kitchen toweling off her hands. “Yes, hello. Welcome. I’m Ursula Larssen. Come in, come in.” She took the cheesecake from Mrs. Ianelli and the two of them disappeared into the kitchen, making proper introductions. Jack walked in next, in jeans, work boots and a long-sleeved T-shirt. His hands disappeared into his pockets as he looked around.

“Hey,” he said. “Nice house. I probably should have dressed up more, I guess?”

“Don’t worry about it.” I pulled Leaf forward, my hand resting on his back. “Jack, this is Leaf.”

The boys shook hands, sizing one another up. Leaf immediately dropped the big white dazzle smile. Jack’s wasn’t as warm, but I was pretty sure it had nothing to do with Leaf and everything to do with his old man, who’d just shaken Mom’s hand by the door and come inside.

“That’s my dad. Peter,” Jack said.

“Mr. Ianelli, I think is more appropriate given the circumstances,” his dad corrected.

Mom and I shared a look. She shut the door and pursed her lips.

“Can I get either of you a drink?” Mom asked. “Soda, beer, water, the harder stuff. The liquor cabinet is in the kitchen.”

“I’m set,” Jack said.

“I’ll take a beer,” Mr. Ianelli said. He glanced my mother’s way, scowling slightly, his mustache twitching before walking my way. I wasn’t afraid of him, but I wasn’t eager to make small talk with him, either. Not after Jack’s warnings on the phone, and definitely not in the face of his grumpy stare.

“Sara,” he said.

“Hi.” I tilted my head at Leaf. “This is my boyfriend, Leaf.”

Mr. Ianelli just...sorta blew past Leaf’s existence. Like he glanced at him and then immediately looked back at me. “Jack said you’re a good student.”

“Oh, he did?” I looked at Jack. “I, uhh. Yeah. I think I’m ranked second in the class right now? Might be third. I’ve missed a little school thanks to doctor’s appointments but I haven’t fallen too far behind.”

Mr. Ianelli grunted at me. “That’s too bad.”

“Is it?” Mom asked, waltzing back in from the kitchen with a couple of beers in hand. She handed one to Mr. Ianelli and took a swig of her own. “I’d say being third in the class is not a too bad thing at all.”