A few hours later, I sat on my parents’ couch, staring at the ring I’d found for Sarai. It hadn’t taken me long to find it once Bram, Arie, and I walked into the jewelry store, but it had taken me a long time to buy it. The place was like a damn car dealership. The salesperson had shown me practically every other ring they had before finally selling me the first ring I’d liked.

It was simple. A round diamond, a little over a carat, so it wouldn’t look ridiculous on her hand. I also stashed away another simple gold band that matched it for when we got married. The engagement ring felt heavy when I held it, and it cost more than I wanted to think about, but I was sure Sarai would love it. It looked like something she’d wear. God, I really hoped she liked it. She’d have to wear it for the next forty years or so.

I sighed and leaned my head back, tapping the ring box on my knee. I hadn’t heard from Sarai in a couple of hours, and I couldn’t wait for her to get back. My dad was hanging out with my uncle, and I had the house to myself. I hated having the house to myself. Being alone was normal in my apartment, but my parents’ house was supposed to be noisy and filled with people. It felt lonely when I was the only one in it.

I scrolled through TV channels for over an hour before I heard my aunt’s SUV pull into the gravel driveway. Slipping the ring box into my pocket, I headed toward the front door, then pulled a pair of my dad’s slippers on and walked outside.

“Oh, good, Alex! I need your help,” my mom called, waving at me from the back of the vehicle.

I jogged toward her. “What’s up?”

“I bought a fridge,” she said, staring at the box in the back of my aunt’s SUV. “The nice men at the store loaded it up, but it’s too heavy for me to lift it out.”

“You bought a fridge?”

“It’s just a mini-fridge,” she said.

“Why would you buy a mini-fridge?” I asked, sliding it toward me. Whoever had shoved the box in the car must’ve really wanted it gone. The thing was wedged in there.

“I was thinking I could put it in our room,” she said, watching me. “Don’t drop it.”

“I’m not gonna drop it.” My aunt Ellie, Morgan, and Sarai were now standing behind us while I tried to pry the box out of the trunk. “Why exactly would you need a fridge in your room?”

“In case I get thirsty,” my mom replied.

“You can’t,” I grunted as I lifted the fridge, “walk fifty feet to the fridge in the kitchen?”