I pull open the screen door, and my feet don’t move from the spot. It’s almost the same from when I left. All that’s changed are the paint colors. But when I walk inside, the pictures lining the wall are all there. Pictures from our childhood to high school and then college. There are a couple from Christmas, but I’m not in those, and my hand comes out on its own, and I trace the frame. “See, he’s in this picture,” Olivia says from beside me. “He’s definitely not in the one in your room.”

“He’s just in the back, and you don’t notice him.” I laugh, shaking my head. Then I hear Casey walking upstairs and then jogging down the steps. “Definitely not,” Olivia says from beside me.

“I set her up in my old room,” he says and then looks at Olivia. “I can give you a tour later if you want.”

“NO!” I shout out the same time Olivia says, “Sure.”

“Goodness gracious,” my mother says, coming out of the kitchen wiping her hands on the apron she is now wearing. “Why the yellin’?”

“Nothing, Ma,” Casey says. He walks past us, and I look at Olivia who watches him like he’s her last meal on earth.

“We have a pact,” I say.

“What pact?” She looks over at me.

“We aren’t allowed to date each other’s brother. It’s a universal thing really. Friends are not allowed to date the other’s siblings.”

“I don’t have a brother,” she informs me, “but if I did, and he looked like that, I would let you date him. I mean, date is a strong word since I gave up on dating, but I would let you find out if he wears boxers or briefs.” She points at Casey.

“It’s boxer briefs,” I say. “There, now no need to find out.”

“He could make me forget,” she says, and I groan. “Fine, fine.”

We walk into the kitchen area, and it’s just like it’s always been. All six burners on the range have a pot of them. The long wooden table in front of the big island also has food on it with a vase of fresh flowers in the middle. Something my father always does is bring her fresh flowers every single Friday. “It smells so good,” I say to my mother, and she just smiles.

“Go wash up and then have a seat.” She points at the bathroom, and Olivia and I both go wash our hands. When we come back, the table is set, and Casey and my father are bringing plates to the table.

“How many people are coming?” Olivia whispers, and I shrug.

“Everything is bigger in the South,” I say, walking to the table.

“Heehaw to that,” Casey says and then looks at Olivia. “Saved you a seat, darlin’.”