Well. That’s certainly an answer. Malcolm only cares for her one way—the same way he always has. Joy takes a breath, numbness flooding in. “Okay.”

“But I would just like it if you could try with Summer.”

“If that’s what you want, sure.”

She could be, he said.

He’d rather settle for Summer than take a chance on Joy.

“Good morning!” Summer shouts as she enters the room, bright-eyed and with damp hair. “Ooh! Coffee!”

Joy closes her eyes. She tries to clear her mind, counting to five and focusing on her breathing. When she opens them again, she forces herself to smile. “Game time,” she says to Malcolm and jumps off the couch.

Thirteen

Good morning, Summer. You’re very loud,” Joy says.

“Sorry,” she says, before gasping. “Oh my god, I have to tell you guys what happened. This cabin is definitely haunted.”

“I don’t want to know,” Joy says to Malcolm, who joins them in the kitchen. “You ask.”

He snickers. “Why is it haunted now?”

“So I’m in the shower. Everything is fine. Good temperature. Water pressure is wonderful. Then out of nowhere the water suddenly turns cold. Cold, cold. Like, so cold I almost screamed. I jumped back to get out of the way and that’s when I noticed everything is cold.

“All of a sudden, the entire room felt like Antarctica. I could see my breath. I couldn’t touch the tiles. At this point I’m freaking out because there’s obviously a ghost in the bathroom with me while I’m naked and shivering for dear life. Ten seconds later, it’s gone. Everything begins to heat back up and go back to normal. That’s so weird, right?”

“I’ll give you weird,” Joy agrees.

“Haunted.”

Malcolm says, “Or the AC is broken and maybe the cabin just ran out of hot water. You were the last one to take a shower.”

Summer pouts. “Don’t use logic for hauntings. That’s no fun.”

Breakfast arrives shortly after—a giant spread of fresh ingredients and baked goods. The delivery driver wheels a palette into the kitchen and three more into the garage under Malcolm’s strict supervision. He bought enough to last the rest of the trip, making this the only morning delivery.

Once the dining room table is set up, Summer begins piling food onto a plate. She reminds Joy of a guest at a hotel because an air of expectation wafts around her. Of course, breakfast is there. Of course, coffee is ready. Of course.

To be fair, the way she’s acting isn’t all her fault. Malcolm always sets the bar impossibly high. It’s easy to fall into being accustomed to being catered to—Joy would know. But whereas Summer’s excitement yesterday was peppered with thank-yous, they’re non-existent this morning. She’s settled in for the ride.

But Joy promised to try harder.