Gretchen spent the day taking phone calls and responding to emails from her boss. She sorted through most of her inbox, feeling confident she’d be returning to work soon. She needed to refresh her memory. Emails dated nearly twelve months earlier caught her eye. A conversation thread between herself and the head of the practice, Omar Runge, detailed her eagerness to pick up as many clients as she could and how she was more than happy to work overtime. Going back farther, she noticed a promotion two years ago, and an early retirement option with her 401(k).

Gretchen squinted at her computer screen. She sat back and finished the last bite of her breakfast. The phone rang as she picked up her plate. The chorus of Montell Jordan’s “This Is How We Do It” seemed like an odd choice for a ringtone, but when she saw Amanda’s name on her screen, everything made sense.

“Did you set this ringtone or did I?” Gretchen said.

“It was a joint effort.”

“Mm-hmm.” Gretchen went to refill her coffee. “What’s up?”

“Nothing really. I’m just doing laundry and wondering why my sister hasn’t called to see how Caleb did overnight or tell me what happened with her almost ex-wife. I’m separating my darks from my lights and trying not to be offended or mad.”

She shook her head at Amanda’s dramatics. “How was Caleb?” She knew dodging the Jax topic would irritate Amanda, and that was fun.

“Fine. He loves his Aunt Man.”

“There’s not much to say about Jax.” She was so happy Amanda couldn’t see her grin.

“Did you talk?”

Definitely no talking. “She actually stood me up.”

“I’m going to kill her.”

“It’s okay,” she said quickly even though she was getting used to Amanda’s protective side. “I think we’re going to try to spend the weekend together with Caleb and really talk.”

“That’s great! I know Caleb would really love that.”

Gretchen thought of how Caleb had been affected by everything going on. “This has all been so hard and bizarre. Have I been unfair to him or neglectful?”

“Gretchen, considering your situation, I think you’re handling everything very well, including Caleb. He’s happy, and he talked nonstop last night about how helpful he’s been.” Amanda laughed. “You really have nothing to worry about.”

“What about before? Jax said—”

“Jax has said a lot of shitty things.”

“But that doesn’t mean she’s wrong.” She scratched at her forehead. The emails and work hours only supported everything Jax had said. “I feel like I’ve let them both down so much already.”

“Hey. You have so many years ahead of you, Lord willing, and Caleb will barely remember any of this. Before you know it, he’ll be sixteen and hating you.”

“But he won’t hate Jax because she’s the cool mom,” Gretchen said.