Shit. Janae. Liza washed her face and finger-brushed her teeth in the bathroom and went searching for her sister.

Another call. “Yes, Ma?”

“Where is Janae?”

“I’m looking for her.”

“Don’t go barging in on her and her man. Give them some privacy. You should have taken your butt home. You get yourself stuck overnight in a whiteout, then don’t pick up your phone until damn near noon.”

“Sorry, Momma. I thought . . . She was drinking so I . . .” Bev quieted at this. Liza moved toward the steps and faltered when she saw Dorsey waiting for her at the exit, looking like an awkward sentinel. He was actively not looking her in the eye. So we’re doing this, huh? The I-was-never-here, it-was-all-a-dream shit? Fine.

Bev’s voice howled through the phone. “Oh, my poor baby. Why would you let her drink?”

“Ma, I watered down her champagne and traded it for nonalcoholic. I did what I could, but she’s a grown woman,” Liza tried to whisper. She didn’t want Dorsey overhearing all this, but Bev hung up without saying goodbye.

She and Dorsey took the stairs up to the ninth floor in absolute silence so tense that Liza raced up the remaining stairs. They found everyone else in the common area neatly assembled and ready to go. It was at this point that Dorsey handed her the dry ballet flats. She had forgotten all about them. She took the shoes and slipped them on.

Everyone eyed them like they were glass slippers and Dorsey had been searching the damned kingdom or something.

“Nice of you and Dorsey to finally join us,” David finally said. Liza smiled tightly and looked over to her sister, reading her face for worry or strain. Janae had a blank expression and tears brimming in her eyes. She didn’t talk to David and only nodded to Liza. It was time to get her out of here. She should have insisted yesterday. It was nobody’s business to see her like this, and certainly not these snobs.

Liza picked up her mother’s phone call on the third ring.

“Liza, just get my baby home,” Bev wailed.

“Okay, Ma.” When she looked up, Dorsey was gone.

Jennifer walked into the common area. “I found a private contractor who can clear the garage and streets. Janae and Liza, you can ride with David. He’ll take you home.”

“Thank you,” Liza said, genuinely grateful. She couldn’t stay here another minute. Dorsey had taken to completely ignoring everyone here, with his head in his laptop. David was obviously hurt at Janae’s sudden change in temperament, and Jennifer was moving mountains to get them gone.

Liza gathered her things and walked over to Janae, who sat looking at nothing. “Up, sissy. It’s time to go.”

“Just leave me,” Janae mumbled.

“Up,” Liza said more insistently, and Janae plopped her arm around Liza and stood up.