I wonder if she’ll have a chance to enjoy it. “Good. Well, are you hungry?”

“I grabbed a bite with a friend on the way home.” She smiles. From the look in her eyes, I realize who the friend is.

“Bo?” I ask. My voice isn’t judgmental anymore. I’m no longer bothered by her association with the loser gym teacher or any of the myriad of secrets she and her sister kept from me. After tomorrow, it won’t matter.

She smiles. I’ve put her at ease. She thinks I’m getting used to the notion. She’s wrong, so wrong. “He’s coming to the graduation ceremony tomorrow, isn’t that sweet?”

She’s eighteen years old. It’s not illegal what he’s up to, but it’s certainly not socially acceptable. Not here. Not most places. That alone could make him complicit. “Great. I’ll save him a seat.”

Betsy laughs. She thinks I’m kidding. I’m not. “Okay, well, I’ve got to get some sleep. I’m a finalist up for some special award at the ceremony tomorrow. I don’t know if I’ll win, but we’ll find out tomorrow. It comes with scholarship money.”

“Wow, that’s great.” Of course, Angelica told me about the award. I’d forgotten with all the excitement. “Mary won several graduation awards.”

Betsy deflates. “I know.” And then, “I wish she was going to be there tomorrow. I miss her so much. Every day.”

“Me, too.” It’s true, I do. Even with the betrayal. I miss how we were, how our family was until everyone started pulling away and leaving me, disobeying me, growing up and moving on. Taking secret meetings in Santa Monica with birth mother bitches. Hanging out with sneaky older men. Buying a love nest with their younger girlfriend. My husband used to be so handsome. They were such cute little girls. We were the perfect family.

“Is Dad home?” She’s walking through the courtyard, unaware she’s smelling the sweet scent of deadly oleander. There is danger lurking right in front of her eyes.

“No, he’s visiting someone on the Port Streets. Not sure who? Said he’d be home in a little while.” I stand up and turn off the firepit, following Betsy to the door. “You don’t have any idea who Dad would be visiting over there, do you?”

Betsy looks surprised I mentioned the Port Streets, surprised I’m zeroing in on him. But teens are selfish, so she’s worried only about herself. She recovers from the shock and says, “Um, no, I don’t know what Dad’s doing. See you in the morning. Oh, and, Mom?”

“Yes.”

“After the grad party a few friends and I are going camping. Just a couple days. Thought I’d let you know. Good night.”