Lily sat on the sofa with her legs folded beneath her, watching her older brothers squabble over the last slice of garlic bread on the platter.

“Hands off that piece, Tommy,” Mark said, leaning over the back of the couch with both hands shoved deep in his back pockets.

“That one’s for the birthday girl.”

“I already had three pieces,” Lily said, laughing as she chewed the inside of her cheek.

“He can have it if he wants it.”

The little TV in the corner was showing a high school basketball game, the sound nearly drowned out by seven people all talking at once in a room meant for four.

I stood by the kitchen archway with my shoulder propped on the painted door frame.