During lunch, Wyatt told a story about the time they were twelve and hid a frog in Peter’s shoe.

Austin insisted the frog had been his science project and had escaped independently.

We argued over the facts until all three of us were laughing.

That night at the Murphys’ house, Peter set out three desserts.

I arrived with a dish of pears and stood awkwardly by the door until Elaine took my coat.

“You’re not a guest in trouble,” she said.

“Come inside.”