I kiss her then. Hard and soft at once. I have to.

“Yeah, and don’t you forget it,” I say before pushing the door open and leading her inside.

Family game night greets us in a wave of light, movement, and laughter—every game station bustles with excitement. An unprecedented six tables have been arranged to accommodate the extra people, and each game is in full swing. Taylor Swift’s “Ready For It” plays through the TV, and nearly everyone sings along during the chorus. Everyone is here. Peter Pike plays next to Marigold. Ivy, Marina’s nurse from the accident, wedges between Gil and Wren at another table—she visited the clinic last week with her new puppy, Buster, so I invited her. Wade stands sheepishly with my father at the bar, both sets of arms folded but talking nonetheless. Christie and Roy sit on either side of Leonie. Tilly plays with Zoe, Zach, Tamsyn and Colin. Luke and Willow play against Elena and Jim. Mom scurries about, refilling drinks and checking the cameras on the phones perched at each table.

“Eep, Grady! Those are my games!” Marina gasps beside me, grabbing onto my arm. “They’re playing my games! Tickety-Boo! Tic Tac Trivia! Milk & Eggs! Scaredy Cats! Gosh, even Zombie Grocery Store and Play Together, Stay Together—that one needs work. How’d you—why’d you—Grady!”

“Games should be played, right? What says family better than a board game?”

Her hand goes to her mouth, probably to stifle more eeps. The soft glint of tears in her eyes tells me I’ve done a good thing.

“What’s with the phones?” she asks.

“Gil’s going to post our gameplay on YouTube and TikTok. He wants to start a Kickstarter campaign, like he did for Marigold’s comics—she’ll be able to self-publish them soon. So, who knows? Something might come from it if people enjoy them as much as our family does.”

“Do you really think they’re that good?”

I wave toward the crowd. “This is proof, isn’t it?”

“Marnie, you’re here!” Mom pipes up, gaining the room’s attention. “Your games are wonderful.”

The room claps and cheers in wild approval.

“Come, take over as Games Master,” Mom says, waving her into the room.

Marina peels out of her jean jacket, a giddy look on her face, and moves into the rambunctious group. She rounds the room with side hugs and game tips. I make my way to the bar area for a beer.

“Dad.”

“Grady.”

“Wade.”

“Grady.”

“Everything good?” I twist the cap off a bottle from the cooler beside them and take a swig.