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“Yeah” I heftedabout it”

“Good luck And Dex” She put a hand on s get emotional, but don’t shut Bree out She’s worried about you”

I stiffened, annoyed even though I knew she was right “I know I’ll talk to her”

Twenty minutes later, I knocked on Bree’s back door Justin pulled it open, holding Prescott over his shoulder “You knock now?”

“Wasn’t sure if I’d be welcome” I rubbed ”

He shrugged “Family shouts sometimes Come on in”

Their house s about it reminded me of childhood I messed around with my nephew Peter in the family room for a few minutes, then took Prescott frourgling noise and smiled at me

“Good, he likes you” Justin sank onto the couch “How about you carry him around for a while? Every time I put him down, he screams”

“I’ll take hi babies They were so tiny yet chubby at the saht in the crook of my arm And they never shit-talked

I tucked Prescott againstht I heard your voice Are you here for dinner?”

“If I’m invited”

“Of course you’re invited I’anoff”

“That’s what it is” I inhaled deeply “Manoff in years”

She turned the heat off under the pan and scooped the sautéedblue pot “I don’t make it too often, but I was in theabout Mom lately”

Prescott started to fuss, so I put hiain?”

She began filling another pot ater “Yes I saw him last Sunday And I’ll see him next Saturday—a week from today”

“How is he?”

Placing the pot on the stove, she shrugged “Sick The visits aren’t long But I brought Justin and the boys last time”

“He never mentioned it”

“I asked hias under the water “It upsets you”

I took a breath “I’m sorry about that I lost my temper the last time I was here”

“You did,” she agreed, “but I shouldn’t have provoked you that way I know it’s a sensitive subject”

“Which subject? Dad? Or Winnie?”

“Both” She turned to face one?”

Stroking Prescott’s back, I sniffed his head—he smelled like baby shampoo “Yes”

“Are you guys” She struggled for a word “Friends?”

“Not exactly I apologized for what I said, but she asked for time”

Bree nodded “That’s understandable She must have been really hurt”

“She was” My stoain “But I told her what I said wasn’t the truth”