Oh, that’s right. Randy’s the one they think alerted the media. I make a mental note to stay as far away from him as possible. I can’t believe Paula knows this about him but still insisted he be invited. The Gleasons would never tolerate that kind of behavior from a family member.

But you’re no longer with the Gleasons.

“You can’t choose your family,” Craig says as he throws his arms up in the air.

Like I need to be reminded of that.

“How are you holding up?” he asks. “I’m sure this is a lot. I was overwhelmed the first time Paula introduced me to her family, so I get it.”

I give Craig a small smile. “It is a lot. Would it …” I feel bad abandoning everybody, but I need to get away from this.

“Do you need a break?” Craig has read my mind. He seems to get me more than Paula does.

“Yeah. Would it be okay if I went to my room for a bit?”

“Of course. Whatever you need. Do you want to take some food up?”

Looking over at the table full of food does make my stomach rumble, but I’m too terrified of spilling in the pristine bedroom. “Maybe later.”

I look down to avoid eye contact and more awkward conversations as I head upstairs to the room where I’m staying. I get a little excited that there’s a TV in there. Part of me wants to shut the door, turn on the TV, and pretend I’m on vacation, since I don’t know what else to do. It takes all of fifteen minutes to put my clothes in the closet and toiletries in the bathroom.

Now what?

I sit down on the bed and stare at the Monet print that’s near the door. I read through the dozen or so “How are you?” texts from various Gleasons checking in. I smile at the thought of my extended family worrying about me, but I don’t know how to reply. Besides, it’s too hard to think about what they’re doing now. While I know their lives have changed with me leaving, they’ll eventually go back to their routines and lives. It’ll be like I was never there at all.

I startle as I look up and see Sarah studying me from the doorway.

“Oh, hey.”

She gives me a blank stare in reply.

“Ah, do you want to come in?” I offer. I want to take a sledgehammer to the wall she seems to have built around us. Part of me doesn’t blame her. I’m this stranger who has come into her house to live with her. Her life has changed as well. Since she stays in the doorway, I extend an olive branch. “I know this is weird.”