It’s close to dinner by the time we reach my house, and Sadie is in my kitchen. Honestly, I’m not certain she ever left. The air is moist, filled with the gentle slosh of the dishwasher. The countertops gleam. She has commandeered several of my Tupperware containers. They sit on the kitchen table, filled with chocolate chunk cookies, gooey brownies, and homemade pita chips.
I shoot a look of dismay toward Malcolm and try to muster a smile for Sadie. I’m certain it’s nothing but guilty.
“There you two are!” She wraps me in a quick hug and Malcolm bends down so she can kiss his cheek. “I told Nigel not to worry. He’s in the living room with your father.”
This last she directs toward Malcolm, whose entire face puckers. He’s teetering on the edge of shutting down again. I can feel him pulli
