Boundaries did not have to be shouted to be real.

After the call, she sat quietly with her tea.

She felt no satisfaction in Evelyn’s embarrassment.

She felt the ache of a family relationship that had never become what she’d hoped.

Yet she also felt light enough to stand up, wash her cup, and go on with her evening.

PART 17

Garrett spent Christmas in Priscilla’s apartment.

She had bought an oversized artificial tree on credit despite his objections and complained when he couldn’t afford to put gifts beneath it.