At 2 P.M., I Walked Into My Parents’ Backyard Expecting To Pick Up My 8-

though he’s never been religious. He looked up the moment he heard me.

“How did it go?” he asked, voice low.

I closed the door carefully, as if any sudden movement might crack me open.

“They called us freeloaders,” I said flatly. “Me and Amelia. That’s what my mother thinks of us.”

Ethan’s jaw tightened. He didn’t say he was surprised. He didn’t say they continue reading …