Liam, Mari, and their daughters stayed for a week. Liam and I found ourselves in an uneasy truce, neither acting particularly friendly toward each other but avoiding any more brawls.
Although I’d at first been surprised they’d brought their young children along, I was glad for their presence. The little girls provided a needed distraction for the adults. When conversations could’ve devolved into arguments, one or both of the girls managed to steer the subject in the opposite direction. Or did something that caused Liam or Mari to have to keep them from getting stuck, falling to their deaths, or breaking some priceless antique.
My parents were friendly but cold with Niamh’s family. They were at a loss to watch how rowdy the girls were or how involved both parents were in their daughters’
