“I’m leaving Silver Peak.”
Gracie’s smile falters. Mom blinks, confused. Dee and Maya exchange a look.
“I’ve accepted the job in Denver. I start next week. I’m going.”
Gracie stares at me, blinking fast. “Wait, what? You’re moving?”
I nod. “For good.”
Gracie’s hands curl in her lap. “I just got here, Josie. I moved here because of you. You’re the reason I even dared to leave Chicago. You made this feel like home.”
My throat tightens. “I know. I’m so sorry.”
Mom is silent for a long second. Then she laughs, a strange, hollow little thing. “Wait, this is a joke, right? You’re notreallyleaving. I thought you were just going to look at the place. I mean, you came back and didn’t talk about it. I thought you didn’t want it.”
My heart breaks in slow motion. “I’m not joking. Iamleaving.”
“Denver?” she repeats. “Denver?”
I nod again, barely holding it together. “There’s more.”
Dee exhales. “Oh, here we go.”
I ignore her and face our mom. “I’m pregnant, Mom.”
Mom blinks once. Twice. “You’re what?”
“Pregnant,” I say again. “With twins.”
The room drops into stunned silence. Then…
“Twins?” Mom’s voice cracks into an octave I didn’t know she had. “Oh my— Twins?”
I can’t tell if she’s about to pass out or start crying.
Dee puts a hand on Mom’s arm gently. “We found out a few days ago. It’s been a lot.”
Mom grabs the back of her chair and sinks into it like her knees gave out. “Is it... is it his?”
Dee grimaces. “Yes, Mom. It’s his.”
“I— I don’t even— When— How long… Twins!”
Gracie covers her mouth with her hands. Her eyes are glassy, and it guts me.
“I was supposed to learn under you,” she whispers. “We were going to build something amazing in that kitchen.”
Tears spill before I can stop them. “I’m so sorry, Gracie. I didn’t mean to hurt anyone. But I have to go. I need a fresh start. A clean break.”
Dee’s voice is steady, low. “We get it. We really do. But it doesn’t mean it doesn’t suck.”
Maya’s smiling, but her eyes are red. “You’re gonna do amazing. But I swear if you don’t text me every day, I’ll show up in Denver and kidnap you.”
“Deal,” I whisper.
Betty’s still staring at me, stunned. “You’re leaving home. With two babies on the way. And he’s not even?—?”
“I’m not doing it for him,” I say. “I’m doing it despite him.”
