The reality that I’d actually promised Dawn I’d never be friends with Malaki again hit me after a couple of days. I was glad things hadn’t snowballed out of control in that situation. At first it seemed reasonable not to talk to Mal again unless it was revolution-related. Everything I’d ever known had taught me you don’t remain friends with exes. But this situation was different. I gave Dawn extra assurances that she could trust me, and to prove I meant it, I told her we should make our engagement public.
My bright idea was to have a dinner with both of our families. I soon regretted this decision.
“You don’t know how to cook, do you?” Dawn asked.
I shook my head. “Neither do you.”
“You just read the directions on the box.”
We decided spaghetti was the safest meal to make. But the box
