I had originally planned to celebrate our second anniversary quietly, just the three of us.

At the last minute, I changed my plans entirely.

Chapter 5 — A Cozy American Meal

So on Sunday, our anniversary, I hosted a dinner, and I invited both families: Julian’s mother, Evelyn, and my own parents, and an assortment of aunts and cousins from both sides, twelve people around our long dining table.

I cooked a beautiful, ordinary meal, the kind that says everything is fine and nothing at all is about to happen.

Roast chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, pumpkin pie.