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We all sit down anddishes, completely oblivious to the tension in the rooed while we eat, occasionally fielding questions frorandoes off without a hitch for the

Rainey clears her throat “Thank you for inviting us The food was really great”

My mom smiles at her “Oh dear, you’re alelcome; no invitation necessary Usually Carlotta is the only one who joins us but we do this every Sunday” After everyone’s empty plates are stacked at the end of the table, she claps her hands together “So, anything else new and exciting you’d like to share?”

Brody, Rainey, Drew, and I suddenly find the tablecloth fascinating, raising her suspicions

She narrows her eyes “All right, what’s going on?”

Shit

“Nothing,” I say breezily “What ht; the food was delish”

I can feel the heat of her stare but I fight the urge to flee

My nonna cackles “Oh boy, who stepped in it? Brody?”

“What?” Brody sputters “Why do you automatically assume it’s me?”

She gives him a look that says, do I really need to answer that?

Rainey s better He only acts like an idiot maybe seven times a day now”

Brody scoffs “Oh,

I don’t know I can think of so Charlee’s done recently that was really dumb”

Aaand let the shitshow coentlemen