Sheila said, “He won’t come, baby. Even if you invite him. He won’t come because your daddy is marrying the man he loves, and Mission is too stupid to see that it’s wonderful.”

Dad had folded the invitation list into a tiny square, and he was squeezing it between two fingers. Angus told me that you can’t fold a sheet of paper more than seven times. It’s impossible.

Jesse was petting Rocco under the table, running his hand down the back of Rocco’s head, which is what Rocco loves best. When Jesse talked, it was like he was talking to Rocco.

“I’m sorry, honey.”

Sonia said, “So…who’s gonna be there that I know? Besides you guys?”

“You know Angus,” I told her. “And Lizette is coming. Remember her? From ice-skating?”

“I have to go,” Sonia said. “It’s almost dinner.” And before anyone could say anything else, her hand reached out and she disappeared.

“Well, that was fun for about five minutes,” Sheila said.

“Who’s Uncle Mission?” I said.

Jesse said, “Mission is our brother.”

“He was,” Sheila said, slapping a “love” stamp on an envelope.

—

At bedtime, I asked Dad if you can get a divorce from your brother. He said no, you can’t. “He’s still their brother, Bea. But Sheila is angry. Mission hasn’t been kind to Jesse. It’s like Mission doesn’t want to know Jesse anymore.”

“But why?”

“Because Jesse is gay.” He shook his head. “Mission doesn’t know how to make room for the real Jesse. Sometimes when people want something to be one way, they just pretend.”

“Does he even know about us?” Even though I hadn’t known about Mission until an hour ago, this seemed rude to me.

Dad rubbed his face with one hand. “I’m guessing he knows a few things. But, Bea, this isn’t about us. We’re fine. We’re more than fine. It isn’t even about Jesse. This is Mission’s problem, not ours.”

“But does he know about the wedding or not?”

“I don’t know, honey.”

“Maybe he’s waiting for an invitation. Maybe he’d come.”

“I don’t think he’s waiting for an invitation.”

“Sometimes people change,” I said. “You tell me that all the time.”

“You’re right, Bea. Some people do change. I’m just guessing.”

He said good night and started to leave. With one hand on the doorknob, he said, “Bea. Family can turn their backs on you, just like anyone else. I’m sorry to say it.”

When Dad left, I felt awful, and I had to think through everything before I figured out why.

If Jesse’s brother could turn his back on him, maybe Sonia could, too.

Maybe Sonia wouldn’t choose our family, either.

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