Skip to content 
Kayla’s smile twitched.
Jennifer said, “Usually there are two people present for that.”
I nearly choked.
Kayla kept going.
“Everything that happened was complicated. Your father couldn’t provide the life I deserved, and after he died, I was drowning.”
I felt heat rise into my face.
My son had been dead for twenty years, and somehow she was still making him responsible.
But before I could speak, Jennifer smiled.
“Okay.”
Kayla blinked.
“Of course we believe you, Mom.”
I turned toward Jennifer.
She didn’t look at me.
Lizzie caught on immediately.
Kayla relaxed.
“Thank God. I was terrified Margaret had poisoned you against me.”
Jennifer’s smile became brighter.
“Nope.”
“For what?” Lizzie asked.
“A family celebration at the country club. My husband Graham’s whole family will be there, and we’re taking formal photographs.”
Jennifer tilted her head.
“You need us in a picture?”
The room went quiet.
Then Jennifer said, “Sure.”
I almost dropped my glass.
Kayla beamed.
“But first,” Jennifer said, “we have something for you.”
Kayla laughed.
“That’s sweet.”
The twins disappeared into the kitchen.
Five minutes later, they returned carrying a large paper shopping bag.
“For you,” Lizzie said.
Kayla opened it.
Her smile vanished.
She reached inside and pulled out a printed copy of the country-club invitation with the photography schedule attached.
For several seconds, she simply stared at it.
Then she looked up sharply.
Jennifer held her gaze.
“Allison posted it.”
Kayla’s face changed.
Her voice rose enough that Mrs. Patel’s curtain moved across the street.
Jennifer said nothing.
Kayla dropped the papers back into the bag and rushed out the front door without stopping for her shoes or coat.
Mrs. Patel stepped onto her porch.
Jennifer closed the door.
I stared at both girls.
“What did you do?”
Jennifer reached into her pocket and handed me another copy of the same papers.
The country club event was scheduled for tomorrow.
At the bottom was the photography schedule.
Graham and Kayla with their children and grandchildren.
Six adult names followed.
Four belonged to Graham’s children.