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“I didn’t hear that offer when I was hauling your mountain of flowers on the way over”

“If you think flowers and pie are the sa planner,” he said, keeping both stuffed paper bags out of her reach “You’re supposed to love flowers”

“And I do But I love pieplanner second, after all”

Josh grunted as he begrudgingly handed over one of the bags

“I love your fa up at the clear night sky “You’re lucky”

“I aood Yes, hisand his dad’s deep-fried turkey had been a seht, and his sister had sort of lost her shit when he’d gotten sick

But they loved each other Were there for each other, messy drama and all

“You want to call your mom?” he asked as they climbed the stairs to the train platform

She looked at hi?”

“It’s a holiday She’s your only family member Not a stretch”

“Do you ot a few s on a bench and sat down as Heather wandered away HerHe noted Heather’s voice went up a full octave when she talked to her mom, full of enthusiasm that wasnot false, exactly The senuine as she chatted

But there as a purposefulness about her happy tone, as though she didn’t want to let herthat they hadn’t spent the holiday together