No missed calls, no text messages from Brandon.

“He’s probably dealing with Samantha,” I said.

“He’s hiding from us,” Evelyn said.

“He’s too embarrassed by me.”

“He should be embarrassed by his own cowardice,” I said.

Evelyn patted the blue silk scarf wrapped tightly around her throat today.

“Don’t be too hard on him, George,” she said.

“He just wanted to fit in with her high-society friends.”