SEPARATING
On the night of Mom’s family dinner, I arrived at the Big House late, as usual, but I still got there before Michael or Edward. As if she had sensed my arrival, Mom opened the front door while I was still climbing the steps, saving me from the dilemma of deciding whether to knock or to just walk in.
“You’re late.”
“I’m Damen.”
“Don’t be smart,” Mom said. She stepped aside to let me pass, but her eyes flickered over my shoulders to scan the street. “I want you on your best behavior tonight. This is important.”
“What’s this all about, anyway?”
“You will see.” Mom deposited me in the front room where Evelyn sat with Dearie. The two of them looked up when I came in. Mom disappeared into the kitchen.
“Damen!” Evelyn jumped up as if she hadn’t seen me in years and wrapped her a
