ELARA'S POV
My mother had stopped asking if we were coming and started asking what time we were arriving, which was the distinction that mattered. We were expecting. That was new in the best way.
Damien brought the chess set again and a bottle of wine and a book my father had mentioned in passing three months ago that Thomas had completely forgotten mentioning but received with the recognition of someone who'd been thinking about it without realizing it.
"You wrote it down," my father said.
"Notes app," Damien said. "I keep one for everyone."
My father looked at him for a moment. "Smart system."
"Elara taught me. She's been doing it for years."
Thomas looked at me. I shrugged. He went back to examining the book and I caught Damien's eye across the room and he looked away before eith
