Something clattered against the window. It sounded like hail. They both looked toward the sound, but it was quiet again. The window was unbroken, the curtain undisturbed. “A little sleet,” Allison said, knowing exactly what it was. Her heart sped up at the thought. Stop it, she told it.

Jillian would imagine the sound into robbers or vandals. She’d been a fearful child, forever climbing into their bed, for safety. Allison felt a little sad, knowing Jillian would never cuddle between them in bed again. She let the top sheet billow over the mattress and float down with a sigh.

The sound came again. Allison went to the window and pushed the curtain aside. There he was in his long coat and boots, grinning up at her. God, he was bold. And sexy. And very, very tempting.

“What is it?” Jillian said.

Allison looked at him for a long moment; then she let go of the curtain.

“Well? Should I be scared?” Jillian said.

“No, honey. There’s nothing to be afraid of,” Allison said, shaking the pillows into their cases. She pulled up the blanket and gave Jillian a hug, a hug that said It’s over, a hug that said I’m back.

“Mom,” Jillian said, arching away from her. “Don’t.”

17

JANUARY 10

There was only a little snow, just enough to cover the grass, but Rex was outside leaping around in it. He looked surprised every time he came up with a white nose. Kaye watched him through the window. She and the dog were the only ones in the family who even cared about the snow. The kids had gone upstairs after dinner, Jakey to play video games and Lindy to do homework. Why couldn’t the kids be more fun? Like Adam and Jillian, out making snowballs in the dark. Every now and then Grant would appear in the Millers’ yard and the kids would ambush him.

She waved to Grant through the window and he waved back. He was nice. He was the only one of them who was. She’d only exchanged a couple of words with him since their night on the porch, saying “Hiiiiii” in a way that he would know she meant “high.” Maybe if she could find a way to buy some weed they could hang out again.

Jillian ran by with snowballs in her hands; Kaye waved, but Jillian wouldn’t even look at her. It made her sad that the kids had taken sides in this whole housing-war thing. Meanwhile, Ted shoveled the driveway.

Suzanne and Grant had been living with the Millers for ten days now. Ten days in that teeny little house! It didn’t seem like it could fit all six of them. Seven of them, if you counted Ted’s brother, who was there most of the time. There he was now, looking out the window at her. He waved. Kaye closed the blinds.