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“Well … you can eat the toast”

Lina tossed her backpack on the couch and shrugged “Whatever” She started to head back into her bedroom

Madelaine wanted to breathe a sigh of relief and let Lina go, but she refused to give in so easily It was exactly that kind of cowardice that had broken their relationship—it would take a little bravery to bring it back

Rules She reacts well to discipline

“I’d like you to set the table,” she called out to her daughter’s back

Lina slowly turned around “You want me to what?”

Madelaine wet her lips “Set the table”

Lina eyed her Ray pockets, she crossed the room “Mom?”

Madelaine forced herself to stand still for the scrutiny “Yes?”

“Did we move to Stepford?”

Madelaine burst out laughing “Go on, set the table”

Lina didn’tFinally Madelaine couldn’t help herself, she started to squirm It was a mistake to try to pretend to be a fa like Saturday brunch could fix rong between her and Lina

“Did you call my dad yesterday?”

Madelaine flinched There it was, the question she’d wanted to avoid, thron on the table like a gauntlet “Father,” she snapped She cleared her throat and tried to sound more rational “He’s your father A dad is … different”

“Yeah, whatever Did you call him?”