“Why do you always lead with your stomach?” Mom hugged Ashlyn.
“Because I’m always hungry.”
“It’s bangers and mash.” My mother opened the oven.
“Mmm,” I hummed as I peeked over her shoulder.
Ashlyn turned and hugged my ribs. “Aunt Bridget! You’re here!”
I squeezed her back. “I wouldn’t miss seeing you, Ashlyn.” I didn’t have a favorite nibling, but if I did, it would be Ashlyn. She was tiny, like me, and she had big dreams. She wanted to be a doctor and an astronaut like Jonny Kim. I told her anything was possible if she worked hard enough. She collected gold stars at school and was the only member of my family who didn’t give me a hard time about my long hours.
“Mom said you got a new job.” Her eyes shone with pride.
“Right!” Denise patted my back. “Way to go, Bridge. Maybe someday I’ll make principal, but CEO is next-level.”
“Thanks.” I hugged her. “I’m so excited.”And nervous,I didn’t say. They didn’t need to hear about my troubles with Cole.
“You’re the most important person at the company now,” Ashlyn said.
“Everyone at the company is important,” I gently corrected her. “But my co-CEO and I are the ones who make the big decisions. Well, with the approval of the board.”
Ashlyn crinkled her nose. “The board?”
“They’re my bosses,” I said. “And their bosses are the shareholders. Those are people like your moms, and Grandma and Grandpa, who invest money in the company.”
“We don’t invest in your company.” Denise plucked a slice of cheese off the charcuterie board on the counter.
I gasped. “Why not?”
She snorted. “It’s, like, one of the least diverse technology companies out there. It’s been all white dudes at the top until you. Hello, diversity of thought, anyone?”
“Corporations are soulless,” Mom said. “They were so cruel to your poor father.”
“I know, Mom,” I said. “I’m advocating for both diversity and compassion at Apex.”
“We’ll see, honey.” Mom patted my shoulder. “Denise, how’s Yve doing?”
“She’s okay.” But my bold sister’s voice wobbled. It was no secret that she hated when her wife was deployed. “She finally got the package we sent, and she shared it with her unit.”
“I hope it’s a comfort,” Mom said. “She’ll be home for Christmas, and that’s less than two months away.”
Denise nodded and absently stroked Ashlyn’s dark hair.
Mom asked, “Where are the boys?”
“With their cousins.” Denise went to the back door and shouted, “Boys! Move it! Oh, here’s Ciara. And Trish. But I don’t see Rudy.”
Ciara, our youngest sister, came in gripping Trish’s hand. They were the closest of all of us in age at twelve months apart, and they’d always been tight. After they’d gotten hugs all around, Mom asked, “Rudy couldn’t make it tonight?”
Spots of pink appeared on Trish’s pale cheeks. “No. He, um…we split up.”
With a whisper, Denise sent Ashlyn off to play with her cousins. When we had the kitchen to ourselves, my sisters’murmurs weren’t as shocked as you’d expect. No one had liked Rudy, not when they’d started dating in high school, and not when they’d gotten married right out of college. He was a teacher, like Denise, but in high school, and he thought he was the smartest guy in every room. He constantly dismissed Trish, disparaging everything from her intelligence to her wardrobe. But she never fought back because she actually loved the guy. We’d all clenched our teeth and stayed silent.
Mom pulled Trish close. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. Are you all right?”
“I will be,” she said, dabbing her fingertips against the purplish skin under her eyes. Her lower lip trembled, and I knew there was something else. But I said nothing until my sisters had all given her their words and touches of comfort and started carrying dishes into the dining room.
“Be right back.” I pulled Trish into the first bedroom upstairs. It was the one she and Ciara shared while we were all still living here. Mom and Dad had taken down their old posters of One Direction and the Jonas Brothers, but the twin beds remained for our nieces and nephews to spend the night. I sat on Trish’s old bed and pulled her down next to me. “What’s the news that’s so bad you wouldn’t share it before?”
