Chapter 8: The Family Dinner

“Grandma.”

Keegan pulled away from Rose as they walked up the front steps to the house that she’d grown up in. It was huge and she didn’t miss it one bit. She loved her cottage in another town where she could clean the place in an hour.

Her little boy bounced happily as Rose’s mother appeared in the doorway. Rose braced herself as she was sure this family dinner wasn’t going to be fun. At least Keegan would be there and he’d distract them. They would all be civil in front of her son.

The ginger-haired boy threw himself into his grandmother's arms. She snuggled him to her, burying her nose into the little boy’s neck. At least Keegan knew he was loved and that’s why Rose attended these dinners.

“Rose,” her mother said over Keegan’s head.

“Hello, Mom.”