“You look great,” Graham declared, after Jade opened the door. He held out a rose. “For you.”

“Oh, thanks,” Jade responded, briefly admiring the flower. “Let me just put this in a vase, and then we can get going. Sounds good?”

“Great,” Graham said agreeably, watching her pour some water into a vase and place the rose into it. “Ready?”

“Yeah, I’m all set. So, what’s the plan for this afternoon?”

“I was thinking we’d eat somewhere and then maybe go bowling, if that’s fine with you. If there’s any restaurants you like, feel free to suggest them.”

“Anyplace that offers something more than just seafood is fine with me; I hate seafood. I’m willing to eat just about anything else, though.”

Graham nodded and replied, “How’s Olive Garden sound to you?”

“That’ll be fine.”

As they left the apartment, Jade remarked, “I hope Valo doesn’t go crazy dealing with her family today.”


“I swear, I’m going to go crazy,” Valo muttered, popping a chamomile mint into her mouth. She sucked at it for several seconds before walking into the house. She felt like a prisoner walking to the electric chair. This is going to be hell. I know it. Give me strength, and if not that, then a hell of a lot of patience, she prayed.

Much to her displeasure, the first person she met inside was her mother. Time, as well as a lifetime of smoking, had not been kind to this once-attractive woman. Despite being in her forties, she dressed rather like a teenager. A teenager in denial about how she looks, Valo thought, eying her mother’s short and rather bright-colored dress.

“Hey, Jess,” her mother gushed, as phony as wax fruit. “You look so cute in that outfit. Have you lost weight?”

“No,” Valo muttered. “But I’m sure you think I need to.”

“It’s just not healthy for you to be so fat.”

You’re one to talk, Valo thought. I exercise about an hour a day and try to make sure to eat well most of the time. You just sit on your butt all day, eating fast food and watching trashy talk shows.

“Have you said ‘hi’ to Crystal or Aunt Lynn yet?” her mother continued, pushing her toward the kitchen.

“I just got here, Mom. You saw me walk in. I didn’t have time to say anything to anyone yet.”

“Don’t snap at me, Jess.”

“I wasn’t snapping,” Valo responded. “It’s the truth.” But with a sigh, she walked into the kitchen, where several of her step-relatives were cooking.


“Hey, Aunt Lynn,” she said, hugging a chubby woman.

“Hey, pumpkin. You look great. I missed you!” Lynn replied, squeezing the younger woman. “Crystal and Tabitha were asking when you’d show up.”

“Really? Where are they?” Valo asked.

“Crystal’s in the living room with Joe, and Tabitha…” Here, Lynn sighed. “She’s out in the back yard, sulking as usual. Probably just jealous that she’s not the center of attention.”

Valo made some sympathetic sounds, then peeked out the window at her adolescent step-cousin, who was sitting outside, on the old swing set.

“I’ll go talk to Tabitha and try to get her to play nice, if you want,” Valo said, faking a smile. “But first…” She nodded toward the nearby bathroom, then hurried into it.


She closed the door behind her and locked it. She slowly walked over to the sink and ran water over her wrists, then lightly splashed her face.

“Give me lots of strength,” she whispered. “Looks like I’ll need it.”