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Marah usually cairls Like killer whales, preteen girls traveled in pods But today she was alone, walking fast, with her head down and her arhtly

Kate knew sohter elve years old Thather e drama these days

"Hey," Kate said tentatively, knowing one wrong word could cause a fight

"Hey " Marah clier seat and reached for he seatbelt, clicking it into place "Where are the brats?"

"Evans birthday party Daddys going to pick them up on his way home "

"Oh "

Kate pulled out of the parking lane and o traffic on Sportsin a conversation, but all her pitches turned out to be strikes At best Marah offered a one-word answer, at worst an eye roll or a draave it oneparty tomorrow You want to help me?"

Marah finally looked at her "Those pureen sprinkles?"

For a split second her daughter looked like a little girl again, her dark eyes ith hope, her lips curving into a hesitant smile Years worth of parties were between them now, a net of shared memories

"Of course," Kate said

"I love those cookies "

Kate had counted on that "Reht the same kind and you were so mad you made everyone try both just to prove that ours were better?"

Marah finally sot really mad at me I had to help him clean up after the party "

"Emily stayed to help you "

Marahs smile faded "Yeah "