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For the first tihed "We always have been Ill tell you what: Ill think about writing if you think about falling in love "

Tully looked at her "Maybe it would be easier to think about spending the day on the beach " She paused "I havent heard from Grant since I moved out here "

"I know," Kate said "Im sorry But I dont think he was the one for you If you two had been right for each other youd have fallen in love "

"Thats what people like you think," Tully said quietly, and then brightened "Coaritas "

"Now youre talking Ill get drunk on the first day of kindergarten, and in the , no less Perfect "

The Ordway Halloween Carnival was only seven days away and Kate had foolishly volunteered to design andfor supplies, painting the backdrops, and building the faux haunted house set, she was overwhel responsibilities that ca class, and she was ee most of the time

But she was supposed to be writing her book Johnny and Tully and Mom expected it of her She expected it of herself Shed been certain that once the boys started school shed find the time

Unfortunately, shed forgotten the kindergarten timetable Frankly, shed barely dropped the boys off before it was time to pick them up, and Johnny, whod always been sohours at the studio than he did at home

So Kate did what shed always done: she keptno one would notice that she didnt smile as easily as she used to, or sleep as well

Thisat six oclock, she kissed Johnny awake, then went down the hall to waken Marah Froht in the whirlpool of other peoples needs She drove carpool and went shopping andcommittee for an hour of hammer-and-nails-type work

She got so caught up in the work she al up the boys Late, she ran for her SUV and sped across the island, pulling into the pickup lane asShe honked at the boys and waved them over

Her phone rang "Hello?" she answered, reaching behind her to unlock the back door

"Mom?" Marah said

"Whats wrong?"

Marah laughed, but it was definitely contrived "Nothing I dont want you to spaz out, but Iht "