Alice laughed. “I swear Justin thinks the magical fairies come by for months while he’s gone to keep the house clean and feed the kids. He thinks he’s got the hard job.”

“They have no clue, do they?” Bettina asked. “It’s all just taken for granted. Part of the routine. Not even a thanks for all the sacrifices we make.”

“Well, the ones they know about anyway.” I glanced at Theresa, who was picking at the carpet. Was she thinking about her own little sacrifice? The favor that had gotten her here? Good. I needed her to keep it front of mind.

Bettina got the reference—I’d told her how Adam got his job. Which meant eventually they’d all know. We passed gossip around our group like a bottle of wine—plenty for everyone.

“Let’s get this show on the road, darlings.” Pia took her seat next to me. “I’ve got a Skype date later tonight.”

“Isn’t that kind of late for the high school boys to be up?” Bettina asked.

We worked in an assembly line—I added a bite-size candy bar, Bettina a glow-in-the-dark necklace, Alice a gummy ghost candy, Pia an orange-and-black bouncing rubber ball. Theresa put a temporary tattoo on top and drew the bag closed.

“Seriously, how’s what’s-his-name? Michael?” Alice asked Pia. “Y’all seeing much of each other?”

“Michael’s old news. He was way too immature.”

Bettina cleared her throat, smirking.

Pia ignored her. “This one’s my age, in fact. He’s a lawyer, too.”

“Ooh so he can bankroll all your expensive tastes.” Alice grinned as she tossed a candy in a bag and shifted it down the line.

“Only trouble is, he is really into the outdoors. Like, camping.” Pia pointed at her chest. “Can you imagine me sleeping on the ground?”

Alice giggled. “Never.”

“And I suspect he might be married still.” Pia sighed. “All the good ones are.”

“Doesn’t have to stop you,” Bettina said. “Why let a small sacred vow of matrimony get in your way?”

Theresa had become quiet. I watched her tug a drawstring too hard and break a bag. When she let a bouncing ball loose, I snatched it before it flew under the couch and handed it back to her. She barely looked at me as she took it.

I snapped my fingers in front of her face. “Earth to Theresa?”

Everyone stopped chattering.

She set down the bags and stack of tattoos and got up. “I need to use the bathroom?”

Pia pointed up the stairs. “Top of the stairs, first right.” Once Theresa had gone, Pia made a face and said what we’d all been thinking. “What’s with her?”

I wasn’t sure. But now was the chance to get her one-on-one and see if she was as good at granting favors as she was asking for them.

I stood. “I’ll go find out.”