Rina said, “That’s okay. Maybe later, huh?”

Five minutes of shoveling food in silence. Finally, Decker said, “Mom, if something’s wrong, you have to talk to us. We love you. What’s going on?”

A pause. “The doctor found a lump.”

“On your mammogram?” When Ida nodded, Rina said, “Did they do a biopsy?”

“I’ve got an appointment on Friday.”

“Okay, so it could be nothing,” Peter said.

“Or it could be something,” Ida countered.

Rina said, “Whatever it will be, it’s scary now. I’ll come with you to the appointment.”

“Me too,” Blossom said.

“I don’t need either of you hovering.”

“I’ve been through this, Ida. I know the right questions to ask. My mother had breast cancer and she’s still around ten years later. You’ll get through this, but let the people who love you help you,” Rina said. No one spoke. “How’s the chicken, Ida? Not too dry.”

“It’s good,” Ida said. “Thanks for doing all this. It would have been nice to have daughters.”

Randy said, “It was your choice, Ma. I’m sure there were baby girls at the agency.”

“You’d be surprised.” But Ida smiled. “Anyway, I like my sons.”

“I do believe that was a compliment,” Peter said.

“Praise the Lord,” Randy said.

Blossom said, “Can you drive me back to Miami after the appointment, Rina? Randy has to leave tomorrow.”

“Of course he has to leave,” Ida said.

“So does Peter,” Rina said.

“Ditto,” Ida remarked.

“Peter’s working on an important case,” Rina told her.

“He always has an important case.”

Randy said, “What’s going on, bro? Does it have to do with that missing nurse and the mentally challenged man you were looking for?”

“It does. We found a body. The nurse’s girlfriend.”

“This is not table talk,” Ida said.

“I’ll fill you in later.” Decker turned to Rina: “Nice that both you lovely ladies are offering to come with Mom to the doctor. I’m sure she appreciates it.”

Ida said, “I don’t need hovering. And driving Blossom back—Miami’s way out of your way, Rina.”

“My mother lives in Miami,” Rina said. “I’m going to visit her, so it isn’t out of my way. I’ll be happy to drive Blossom back.”

“That’s right,” Ida said. “She can come here, you know. Your mom.”

“She’s a little frail,” Rina said.

“How old is she now? Like, ninety?”

“She’s ninety-seven.”

“Is she all there?” Ida asked.

“Mom, that’s not appropriate,” Decker said.

Rina said, “She had a stroke. She has trouble talking. But she’s all there.”

“I’m sorry to hear about her stroke,” Ida said.