“He seems to be, and we’ll see if they can provide each other security and comfort. That’s not easy regardless of what decisions we make. Especially right now.”

“Life”—she shrugs—“just does its thing without worrying about our silly selves.” She buttons up her coat.

“Our baby will have us and we form a coalition.”

“He’ll have us. And them. That’s a lot,” Sissy says.

“Next time we see each other it’ll be in the delivery room.”

“I told everyone to be on the lookout and to call me instantly so we can pace together.” Sissy laughs. She retrieves a floppy red hat from her coat pocket.

Vera comes into the bedroom. “Oh,” She grabs her coat and leaves, calling, “See you, Marnie. Nice meeting you, Sissy.”

“I’m leaving, too,” Sissy says as she checks her watch. “Nice meeting you,” she calls as she walks out.

Vera kisses me goodbye before she leaves.

I hug Tara and say, “See you Christmas Eve, you and Aaron.”

“If you want, if you don’t already have other plans, you can come to my place for Christmas night,” Sissy says.

“Sky and Troy will be here.”

“They can come, too.”

“What a great idea, for us all to be together,” I say.

Tara and Sissy move toward the door. “Goodbye, everyone,” Sissy says.

“See you next year.”

“We love your hamburgers.”

“You’re a great cookie virgin,” sing back a mixture of voices.

And then, “Looking forward to seeing that baby, Tara,” Rosie says.

“Remember to breathe. Always breathe,” Jeannie says.

Allie and Taylor have finished the dishes while I talked with Sissy. They freshen up their glasses with water, or wine, and move into the living room. I revolve my shoulders and my neck. My upper back is tired. I add white wine to my glass and move into the living room.

Juliet has her coat on, a bag of cookies in one hand and her empty platter in the other. She waves as she leaves. “Bye. Love you guys. See you in a few weeks.”

Six of us return to our seats, our same seats.

“I’ve made a decision,” Jeannie says. “I’m leaving the car dealership.”

“You’ve worked there since high school! You wanted to run it,” I say.

“Now, it’s excruciating. And who knows how this will play out? Maybe it’ll be Sue’s and I’ll be working for her. Either way, nothing will be resolved soon, and when it is, whatever way it is, the dealership will never be the same. I’ll remember Dad and Sue and their inconsiderateness.”

“They considered you,” Rosie says. “And your mom.”

Jeannie drains her glass and sets it on the coffee table with sufficient insistence that the crystal sings.

“You have a right to be angry,” I say.