With a slight nod of her head, she agreed with my action, but for different reasons than I placed it, I was sure. She didn’t care about others’ safety. She just wanted to protect her privacy. Regardless, it was done, and I moved toward the entrance to take my place beside Leanne.

“You’re late,” she whispered, after the newest guest moved past us.

I didn’t respond. I rarely did to her little comments meant to anger me. I gave her a smile and turned my attention toward the older couple now entering the house. My mother charmed them with her stunning smile; the tone of her voice was even alluring to normal people. After they had been welcomed, both Leanne and myself flashed our smiles then Duely appeared to lead them to the backyard. He wasn’t thrilled to be given this job along with three of the groom’s cousins, but appropriate fear of his mother and mine had him doing it anyway.

“I smell weed,” Leanne said, low enough that the guests entering didn’t hear her.

“Of course you do. Duely’s here,” I replied then smiled my greeting at the very classy couple who had arrived. They had to be related to Miles.

“Can he not?” she asked annoyed. As if the scent of her cigarettes was better. I said nothing.

“Leanne, you are as breathtaking as your mother,” Circe Kamlock announced in her deep southern voice. Circe was the only daughter of my grandmother’s sister. She had been married three times yet still held the Kamlock name with pride.

Leanne soaked in the attention and all but glowed from the compliment. Looking like our evil mother had always been a trait Leanne bragged about. I was just happy it hadn’t been me who got those looks.

Circe stopped in front of me. She said nothing, but the expectation in her eyes was clear. Was she waiting for me to do something? “It’s nice to see you Circe,” I finally said.

A slight lifting at the corners of her mouth might have been an attempt at a smile. “Catalina,” she said my name with an odd tone. “It’s always … an experience to see you.”

Had Circe gone mad and no one told me? Most Kamlock women not born to the family of three did go crazy as they aged. Possibly it was already happening to Circe. “So much like your… father,” she continued.

“Duely, please show Circe and her guest to their seats,” my mother ordered, before Circe could say more. I wanted to hear what about me looked like my father. No one in this family ever mentioned him.