There wasn’t much to say after that. Two weeks later, Edie and Nathan moved to Gramercy. She hadn’t lived there since leaving for Vassar almost five years earlier, and instead of staying in her childhood bedroom, they set up in the guest suite on the third floor. After two days of silence, Gabe found them in the kitchen and asked for forgiveness.

“I don’t agree with your mother’s methods,” said her father, “but the only thing that matters to me is your safety.”

It was hard for Edie to stay angry at her dad. He looked terrible. Her parents talked about the separation as mutual, but it seemed clear to Edie and Claudia that their mother was the driving force. For as long as Edie could remember, Michelle had preached the value of “moving on.” The girls learned quickly that, even if she was physically around to talk to, going to their mother for comfort was mostly useless. Michelle had no sympathy for those who dwelled. She’d moved past her parents’ death, her youthful drug problem, and now, the father of her children. And yet, her mother managed to show up at the hospital—more, apparently, than her sister was willing to do.

“Do you want to hold her?” Edie asked her mom.

“I should wash my hands,” said Michelle, looking around. “I was in a cab.”

A nurse with a butch, salt-and-pepper haircut knocked.

“What do you need?” she asked.

“I can’t keep her on,” said Edie.

“There’s a breastfeeding class in an hour,” she said. “I’ll come back and bring you down.”

“But the other nurse said she needed to eat now.”

“Never wake a sleeping baby,” said the nurse.

Michelle came out of the bathroom and Edie handed Lydia to her. She looked awkward holding the girl.

“Claudia called,” said Edie.

“Did you talk to her?” asked Gabe. “Where is she?”

“I missed the call, but she texted she was ‘sorry.’”

“Have you girls been fighting?” asked her mom. “What happened?”

“I have no idea. She knows where we are.”

“Did you call her back?” asked her dad.

“I’ll send her a text,” said Edie.

CLAUDIA

we have to be careful about germs the first few days but if you want to meet her you know where we are. enjoy your #staycation