Mrs. Scott sets a final dish on the table and smiles. “I think that’s everything. Dig in everyone.”

For five minutes no one speaks except to compliment the food between bites. Even my sweet little Ginny, who barely fills a plate most days, eats her weight in mashed potatoes and turkey.

I feel like I can’t eat another bite, but then Mrs. Scott brings pies to the table and I can’t help myself.

“I think I’m gonna be sick,” Mav says after his second piece, leaning back and rubbing his stomach.

“What are you wearing, Mav?” Ginny asks. “Is that Adam’s high school homecoming shirt?”

He looks down and shrugs.

Adam speaks from across the table. “Yeah, Dad. I went in your and Mom’s closet to loan Mav a shirt, but I couldn’t find anything. Did she finally take over the entire closet and ban your clothes to the basement?”

Adam laughs at the idea, but then an uncomfortable silence follows as Mr. and Mrs. Scott share a nervous glance.

My skin prickles with awareness even before I’ve put it together. I’m good at reading bad news. Ginny’s confused expression is heartbreaking, and I rest a hand on her leg under the table.

Mrs. Scott frowns and then says, “We wanted to wait until after the weekend to tell you.”

“To tell us what?” Adam asks, his tone hardened in anticipation.

Uncomfortable silence falls over the room.

“Your mother and I have separated,” Mr. Scott answers finally.

Mav goes into a coughing fit, unable to hide his surprise and I elbow him hard in the ribs. He grunts loudly, but no one is paying him any attention anyway.

“Separated?” Adam questions. “You’re getting divorced?”

Mrs. Scott looks around the table. “Maybe we should talk about it later.”

“Mom?” Ginny’s voice wavers and my chest… my chest fucking aches.

Mrs. Scott’s mouth pulls up into a smile, but it’s sad as hell. “We love you both very much. That hasn’t changed and it won’t. We’re still a family.”

Rauthruss clears his throat. “Maybe the guys and I should give you some time to talk.” He glances to me and Mav, and we start to stand only to have Adam beat us to it.

“No, you guys stay. I need some air.”

Ginny pushes back her chair so quickly it scrapes against the wood floor. “Me too.” She disappears after him.

“Holy uncomfortable Batman,” Mav whispers.

“I’m going to talk to them,” Mr. Scott says and looks to his wife, maybe for approval. She nods and he follows them out.

It isn’t until Mrs. Scott stands and excuses herself that the guys and I take a breath.

“Fuck, man, that was rough.” Rauthruss grimaces. “What do we do?”

“No clue,” I tell him honestly.

31

GINNY

Adam and I sit in the garage after Dad leaves to go back to his place.