Shawn removed a Tupperware container from a literary festival tote bag beside him—What we need are some delicious vegan samosas, and thankfully I made twelve.

Everyone laughed, except Damian. Mia clapped appreciatively.

They’re not warm, they’re cold, but whatever, they’re delicious carbs soaked in oil, Shawn said. He opened the lid and set the container off on its journey around the circle.

Is everyone okay? Mia asked. Are we good?

All I’m saying is that they will come for us, Damian said.

And then, with truly cosmic timing, the doorbell rang. Damian gestured to the door, vindicated.

Shawn burst into his inimitable laugh and held up his arms—Well hey Nostradamus!

Ay, dios mio, Nora murmured under her breath.

Howard rose to answer the front door, but Jo stopped him. Everything’s fine, he told her.

Love, please, Jo said, imploring Howard to ignore it, but he insisted on checking to see who it was. He crossed to the front door and looked through the peephole. It’s a woman, he said. I don’t recognize her.

What’s she look like? Jo asked, standing a few paces behind him, hugging herself.

She’s blond. In her forties.

The doorbell rang again, as Kyle jumped up, crossed to the door, and looked through the peephole himself.

Fuck, he said. It’s my mom.

Oh, thank god. Emily laughed in relief. My heart was just—She pounded her fist against her chest.

The doorbell rang again, and Kyle turned to Howard and Jo, panicked—Don’t. Please.

She’s just going to keep ringing it until someone answers, Jo said.

I know.

None of us want a repeat of last time, Leslie said.

No, my goodness, Nora said.

Emily stood up—I could go out and say something.

No, Kyle said, firmly. She’s trying to keep me away, but I can’t, this is my—This is where I need to be, with all of you, and she can’t accept that. If I go home with her she’ll stop me from coming.

Mia reassured him that we wouldn’t let that happen.

She’ll mess with my head and make me see doctors and I can’t, I can’t see her right now. Please.

Jo hugged him—Of course, love.

Damian was up now at the living room window, peering out through the curtain. I hate to say it, Claire, he said, but your husband’s also out there.

What?

With what looks like your daughter.

My heart sank as the others registered their disbelief. I went to the window, took hold of the curtain, and peeped through it myself. Paul and Ashley were standing having what looked to be an argument beside Paul’s car.

They must’ve drove her here, Kyle said.