I was busy setting up the ticket table, while workers secured the balloon arch. I could hear Melissa’s voice wafting over as she ordered them around while Tony and their kids delivered the various signage to the proper booths.

Jess had texted me the night before, asking if it would be okay if she skipped the carnival due to the mark on her cheek. She didn’t think she could face everyone and all their questions but said Del was going to bring Summer and could help direct the bounce house company for setup. To my left, a steady stream of white noise emanated from the bounce house as four questionable workers inflated it.

It was carnival time.

—

An hour later, the sounds of children screeching and cheering had reached a dull roar as families milled around, moving from game to game. A long line of children snaked out of the bounce house as they waited their turn. Judy was hard at work at the face-painting booth, and Marianne’s friends were stationed at the games, wide smiles on their faces. Several children had stuffed animals and prizes under their arms, and parents walked around with baked goods they had won at the cakewalk.

Marianne Baker had arrived with an SUV full of pies, cakes, and cookies. I tensed as I walked over to help her unload, my shoulders stiffening in anticipation. As I lifted a chocolate chip cheesecake out of the back of her car, the moment I’d waited for arrived.

“Did you think more about our conversation the other day?” she said. She turned to me, a tray of powdered brownies resting against her stomach. Her face was creased with worry, and river-rock earrings swung and brushed against her cheeks.

I averted my eyes and busied myself with putting the cheesecake on the rolling cart next to the car.

“I did,” I said in a tone that indicated I didn’t want to talk more about it. The carnival wasn’t the time.

Marianne didn’t say anything more as we finished loading the cakewalk prizes. I flashed her a smile as she closed the trunk of her car.

“Thanks so much for all of this,” I said as brightly as I could muster.

I heard Jack’s cheer from across the parking lot and saw that he had again won the lollipop pull. I smiled from my spot at the ticket counter, handing out two pink tickets to the O’Connell family. Jack scampered over to the bounce house line, his stuffed dragon prize dangling from his hand. Emily was with Melissa and her children at the ring toss game, and behind them waited Tim’s mother, Ann, and Liz’s children.