Chapter 8 — Claire Arrives After the Party
The last child left just after six.
The house looked destroyed.
Wrapping paper covered the floor.
Three balloons had escaped to the ceiling.
Half the snacks were gone.
The remaining half had somehow spread across every surface.
Sophie was exhausted.
Then the doorbell rang.
She looked up.
Daniel smiled.
“Maybe you should answer that.”
Sophie ran toward the door.
Vanessa followed more slowly.
Sophie opened it.
Claire stood outside carrying a small suitcase.
“Happy birthday.”
Sophie screamed.
Then launched herself into Claire’s arms.
Claire laughed.
“Okay. Still strong.”
Sophie held onto her.
“You missed the cake.”
Claire looked horrified.
“Unforgivable.”
“We saved you some.”
“Then our relationship may survive.”
Sophie grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the kitchen.
Claire stopped when she saw Vanessa.
The sisters looked at each other.
Their reunion was quieter.
“Hi,” Claire said.
Vanessa smiled nervously.
“Hi.”
For weeks, Vanessa had imagined this moment.
She pictured tears.
A dramatic hug.
Maybe the exact right words.
Instead, Claire looked exhausted from traveling.
Vanessa had frosting on her shirt.
The kitchen was a disaster.
And Sophie was already cutting a dangerously large piece of cake.
It was better.
Real.
Claire noticed the repaired frosting.
“What happened here?”
Sophie answered before Vanessa could.
“Mom broke it.”
Claire looked toward her sister.
Vanessa closed her eyes.
“Excellent.”
Sophie continued.
“Then she said I did it.”
Claire’s expression changed.
Vanessa nodded.
“Also true.”
“Vanessa.”
“I know.”
Claire looked toward Daniel.
He shrugged.
“There’s camera footage.”
Claire stared at Vanessa.
“You were defeated by home security?”
Vanessa finally laughed.
“Completely.”
Then she became serious.
“I messed up.”
Claire looked toward Sophie.
“Did she apologize?”
Sophie nodded.
“A lot.”
Vanessa smiled faintly.
“Still working on it.”
Claire accepted that answer.
Then Sophie pushed the cake toward her.
“Eat.”
Claire obeyed.