“What the hell?” Cooper said.

Anna fell back against the pillows, her hands over her face.

“Mama, wait!” Linnea called. She stuck her head in the bedroom, shook her head in ominous warning, then closed the door to hurry after her mother. She’d known Julia was going to find out about the Covid Couple sooner or later, but not this way.

She found Julia at the kitchen counter, staring down.

“Mama, it’s okay—”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” she said, spinning around, her eyes aflame with accusation.

Linnea didn’t have time to answer. She saw her mother’s eyes widen; turning, she groaned to herself at the sight of Gordon walking in wearing only his boxers. He smiled sleepily, like a cherub unaware of the depths of hell gaping open in the kitchen.

“Good morning,” he said, and walked over to kiss the top of Linnea’s head. “You wouldn’t have tea?”

Cooper rushed into the room dressed in a spanking-new pair of shorts with the tag still hanging from them and a navy T-shirt. He stopped short when he scoped out the coup de grâce of Gordon’s appearance. He put his hand over his face and leaned against the doorframe.

Julia drew herself up in an effort to assume some dignity. “I really must go.”

Without another word she headed toward the front door, grabbing her purse as she passed.

There was dead silence in the room as Linnea and Cooper drew close and tried to piece together the last fifteen minutes and the repercussions that were sure to follow. Linnea was deeply shaken, Cooper more annoyed. Only Gordon was oblivious as he went about putting water in the teakettle and setting it to the flame. Finished, he turned and caught Linnea’s face.

“Something wrong?” he asked.

“You could say that.”

“What? Your mother?”

“Of course, my mother. Gordon, you came walking out in your underwear!”

“I didn’t know your mother was here,” he replied in self-defense.

“Hey, you think that’s bad? Mom just got a look at Anna’s boobs,” said Cooper.

Linnea slumped against the counter with a soft groan.

“You’re kidding?” Gordon asked, amused.

“I wish he was,” Anna said, walking into the room dressed in khakis and an aquarium T-shirt, her uniform for her job.

“I’ll say this for the morning,” Cooper said. “It’s the first time I’ve ever seen my mother speechless.”

Linnea burst out a short laugh. “This isn’t funny.”

“What can she do to you?” Anna asked. “You’re both adults.” Then she raised a brow and looked at Cooper. “Well, one of you.”

Cooper returned a cold stare.

Anna went to put her arms around him and kissed his cheek. “I’ve got to go. I want all the juicy details when I get back.” With a wave, she grabbed her purse and departed.

Cooper cast a concerned glance at Linnea, then, shaking his head, left the room as well.

Linnea and Gordon stood in an awkward silence. The romantic mood of the morning had vanished. Linnea felt like she was in high school again, caught making out in the family room. This was her home. Her safe place. Yet it felt anything but that, and she felt again the walls closing in on her.