es into the hallway, a whirlwind of perfume a

m h

ntil tomorrow, but here she was, dropping her carry-on bag a

le spreading across my face for the first time all day.

ight out tonight," she said, rushing over to hug me. "I

felt the knot in my stomach loos

ent. "Olivia. You're back." There

Dad. You made it." She gave her father a warm hug, then app

king from Olivia to me and back ag

s this city better than anyone. The traffic from the a

a squeeze, a clear signal of alliance.

with gratitude. This was why I

e, quiet dinner. I picked up some lasagna from that Italian place

always rushing to your defense. I don't know why. I told her

obert said quietly.

pped. "You never had a backbone, so d

Mom, that's enough. I'm not going to let you come into my home and insult my husband. Not tonight, not eve

er face, but she was smart enough to know she had lost this round. She gave a c

Martha barely spoke, Olivia and

my waist from behind. "I knew this would be hard. That's why I

into her embrace. "I can handle it

ia sighed. "Her health issues a

into the kitchen. "I still can't believe you were in Miami for a whole we

ddenly feeling slick. I turned t

I mouthed

sed it. "Oh, Mom's just confused," she said, her voice a little too brigh

kissed my cheek. "Don't worry about

ped her at the terminal for the flight to JFK. I had the confirmation emai

mother think sh