(Sloane)
Mom was ready before any of us the following day.
She was standing at the front of the house when Kieran pulled up at nine. Bag over her arm. Sunhat on. Dad was beside her looking like he had been waiting for at least twenty minutes and was pretending he had not.
I got out and hugged her.
"You look rested," she said, pulling back to look at me.
"I slept well."
She smiled at that. Then she looked past me at Kieran getting out of the car. She moved toward him before I could say anything and hugged him. He accepted it without stiffness. Just present.
Dad came forward and shook his hand. "Good to see you again."
"You too, sir."
Dad nodded. That was enough for him.
We got into the car. Mom and dad in the back. Me in the front beside Kieran. The city was already moving around
