“She says it’s not her, but that’s what she’s surrounded by. I wish they could stay innocent like this forever.” Robin brushed her finger against Collette’s cheek, then handed me a plush toy, which I rattled in front of her. Her chubby hand gripped it then waved it wildly. I inhaled the scent of baby powder as I repositioned her on my lap.

“Willow is a strong-willed girl who can stand up to peer pressure. She knows who she is—and she’s not like them.” At least I hoped not.

An earsplitting screech bounced down the stairwell from Willow’s room, and Robin rolled her eyes. “Tell that to the junior Annie Wilkes upstairs.”

Grant laughed at the Kathy Bates Misery reference. “You want me to intervene?” he offered. It was the first time he’d dealt with the kids all evening.

“No, they need to learn to work it out on their own.” Robin exhaled, her fatigue evident in the sagging eyes that her concealer couldn’t camouflage.

“Anyone need anything while I run to the kitchen?” Grant stood up and smoothed the wrinkles from his Calvin Klein flat-front khakis. He looked every part the sophisticated pediatrician, even in his casual wear.

Lily gulped the last of her wine, casually delivered an unlady-like burp, and lifted her empty glass. “I could use a refill.”

While Lily trailed after Grant toward the kitchen, Owen, Robin, and I sat alone, with only Collette’s babbling poking holes in the stifling silence. With her eyes fixed on Owen, Robin primly crossed her legs and folded her hands on her lap. She was searching for something to say; I could always tell when Robin stiffened like that.

“How was Friday night’s poker game, Owen?” Robin asked.

“What poker game?” Owen’s face was a blank slate.

“I thought the guys had a poker game. Grant went. You didn’t go?”

“I didn’t hear about it. I guess I wasn’t invited.” Owen’s nonchalance showed just how little he cared about such things. Time with the guys had always been more an obligation than a pleasure. If Owen had his way, we’d be living in the boonies on acres of sprawling land and not another house in sight. Buddies were for needy pussies, as far as he was concerned. But humoring me was part of the marital package, so he attended the trite events that I dragged him to and maintained the status quo with obligatory poker games and suffered through boring dinners like this one.

“Oh. Well, I’ll let Grant know next time not to forget you.” Robin reached for her wineglass, bumping mine with her knuckle. The crystal tipped and broke on the coffee table, sending wine across the table and onto Robin’s lap. “Eff my life!”