But, “Yeah. You’re right.”

They say their goodnights and a minute later, she’s ready to hang up the phone. She’s just about to end the call when Hannah speaks again.

“For the record, I’m wearing the Suffolk law shirt you forgot here once. And my underwear. Goodnight.”

xv

xv

Caroline has never brought someone home for Thanksgiving before. Not that she technically is now, but she kind of is.

The thought occurs to her only as she, Abbie, and Hannah are approaching her parents’ house, the street lined with cars of relatives visiting their families. The wind is sharp and chilling, the sidewalk caked with the remainder of the orange, brown, and red leaves that have fallen in the last few days.

She hadn’t even thought about inviting Amanda last year even though things were fairly serious at the time. Or, she’d thought they were. But good food aside, Caroline didn’t see the point. Amanda didn’t really fit in with her family, she abhorred eating desserts, and it wasn’t like the day was all that “special” to Caroline, anyway.

It feels special today, though, she thinks as she walks up the walkway with Hannah next to her, Abbie several steps ahead, already climbing the porch.

“Abbie, don’t just go inside –” Hannah starts to call out to her when Abbie’s hand is on the doorknob.

Abbie turns, a pleading expression on her face. “But mom! Tricia said I could! I swear. And Caroline’s with us! She’s not gonna ring the doorbell to go see her mom and dad.”

Hannah sighs but nods in acquiescence and Abbie lights up, opening the door and running inside. Caroline’s parents house is expected to be brimming with guests today – Thanksgiving is always their bigger holiday in comparison to Christmas.

A lot of extended family that Caroline likes to avoid as much as possible always stop by throughout the day, culminating in a huge dinner with people squeezed onto every available seating area. And usually, she arrives a little late then ducks into the basement to hang out with the kids rather than mingle upstairs and have to talk about politics and Christmas and relationships – lots and lots of jokes about being a divorce lawyer and being single, always so hilarious, never gets old – with people she only sees a couple times a year, tops.

She and Hannah make their way up the porch steps slowly, and Caroline looks to make sure Abbie isn’t in sight anymore before she takes a moment to pause and properly give Hannah her attention.

She’s wearing a long-sleeved tawny colored dress that cinches with a tie around the waist and lowly heeled boots that are really working for her. And for Caroline. Pale blonde hair is curled and styled.