THE EMAIL I SENT BEFORE DESSERT

Candles on the table. Cloth napkins. A lemon tart cooling on the counter. Sophie greeted me at the door wearing a soft blue dress and the same perfume she had been spraying in my bedroom.

Robert kissed my cheek. Michael poured wine. For an hour, we were a family portrait. Polished. Pleasant. Practiced.

Then dessert was served.

I set my fork down.

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