Chapter 2

On the weekend, George suggested taking Caleb to the country park to fly a kite, saying it had been too long since they'd done anything as a proper family.

I knew what he was really doing. He was trying to pull me out of the low pressure hanging over the house, even if only for a little while.

The day before, I'd already bought snacks and fruit, and the octopus kite Caleb had been begging for.

The morning we set out, the three of us had just gotten our shoes on and were ready to leave when my mother's voice came from the living room.

"Hm? Where are you all off to?"

She was holding a glass of water, and beside her sat Leona, parked in front of the morning news like she was every day.

"Mom, we're taking Caleb to the park for a bit," I said with a smile.

"Oh, the park," my mother said. She glanced over at Leona, and a flicker of awkwardness crossed her face. "Then... could you bring your Aunt Leona along?"

Before I could say a word, Leona was already on her feet, all warmth.

"Yes, let's do that. I've been in Bayport this long and haven't been to the park once. Natalie, it's no trouble, is it?"

What could I say?

If I said it was trouble, where would that leave my mother?

I squeezed out a smile. "No trouble, Aunt Leona. Go change, then. We'll wait for you at the door."

George's face darkened in an instant. He grabbed my hand and dropped his voice. "You caved again!"

"What else was I supposed to do? Blow up at my mom's best friend right in front of her?" I felt just as helpless.

What was supposed to be a cozy outing for the three of us had turned into an awkward trip for five.

At the park, George took charge of flying the kite with Caleb while I spread the picnic blanket on the grass and set out the snacks.

Leona plopped herself down, picked up a bunch of the imported grapes I'd bought specially, and started eating, talking as she went.

"This park's pretty big, just too many people. All this noise and mess. And the grass isn't even clean. It's lumpy to sit on."

My mother quickly grabbed a cushion and handed it to her. "Here, Leona, sit on this."

A little while later, my sister-in-law, George's sister Arlene Chavez, called. She said she happened to be nearby taking care of something, and since she knew we were here, she'd swing by to see Caleb.

Arlene was a straightforward sort. Her voice arrived before she did. "George! Nat! Caleb!"

She was carrying a big fruit basket, fresh cherries and blueberries inside, all the things Caleb loved.

"Auntie!" Caleb spotted her and threw himself at her, thrilled.

We were chatting happily when Leona sidled over, fixed her eyes on the cherries in the basket, and said to Arlene as if she'd known her for years,

"Oh my, what a handsome boy. Those cherries look good. Where'd you buy them?"

Arlene faltered for a second.

I made the introduction, feeling awkward about it. "This is my mother's best friend, Aunt Leona."

"Oh. Hello, ma'am."

Arlene greeted her politely, then handed me the basket. "Nat, these are for Caleb. Have some."

I'd barely taken it when Leona reached straight into the basket, grabbed a big handful of cherries, popped one in her mouth without washing it, and said around it,

"Mm, sweet enough. Bit pricey though, aren't they? Young people these days, throwing money around."

Arlene's smile froze on her face.

She was sharp. She didn't say a thing, but I saw it plain as day, that sized-up, uncomfortable look in her eyes.

She played with Caleb for a bit, then made an excuse about having somewhere to be and hurried off.

Before she left, she pulled me aside and murmured, "Nat, that relative of yours, what's the story there?"

The taste in my mouth went bitter. All I could manage was something vague. "She's a friend of my mom's, staying with us a few days."

"A few days?"

Arlene raised an eyebrow. "George has complained to me about it more than once. Says the house has picked up a little tyrant."

After seeing Arlene off, my heart was a tangle of feelings.

Leona's presence had already begun to strain things between me and George's family.

I looked off into the distance, George holding the kite line, Caleb running across the grass, the sun so good, and yet inside me was nothing but gloom.

Leona was still over there, loudly ordering my mother around.

"Hey, Priscilla, get me a bottle of water, I'm dying of thirst here! And bring some of those cookies, those are the good ones!"

The imperious way she said it, as if she were the woman of the house.