Chapter 82

21

Atlanta, GACharles

WHEN I ARRIVED home from work the next evening, I found everyone in the attic playroom, watching the tribe. Well, the adults were watching, and Steve’s sisters were on the floor playing with Mark and Steven. I said hello to everyone and excused myself to go downstairs and change. Philip came into our bedroom as I finished dressing, and I said, “Hi, babe,” and kissed him.

“Hi, yourself.”

“What’s happening?”

“Not much. Marie and the girls slept late, and we’ve all been sort of lazing around the house today. I decided not to talk about anything important until Julien gets here on Friday.”

“That makes sense. How are the girls handling their father’s death?”

“They don’t seem to be fazed by it one way or the other.”

“I don’t like the sound of that,” I said. “Maybe I’ll call Lydia and pick her brain a bit.”

“I think that would be a good idea. I’m planning to take everyone shopping tomorrow—you know how women love the malls.”