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Totally! In fact if Mom and Dad did say no, I bet George and Marilyn would take them. They could help with Casey and Josiah. You know how much Casey adores Liam.

It’s cute how my sisters think of Elle and Liam as helpers. I’d love to send them video footage of me trying to get Elle to empty the dishwasher. You’d think I asked her to pull her own hair out the way she goes on with me about the impertinence and injustice of the request.

Jill

I’m sure it’s too late for us to register.

Hannah

Luckily, I have an in with one of the retreat organizers. (winky face emoji)

Brooke

And I have one with the guy helping lead worship at the retreat. (winky face emoji, winky face emoji)

Yeah, yeah, I get it, I want to cry.You both married super spiritual men who love the Lord and want to see Christian marriages flourish and grow. Whoop-de-do. My husband may not work at a church but at least he goes to church. And also, you know, has a Bible that he sometimes reads. Or used to, anyway.

Jill

Max and I can't just leave. We both have work.

Hannah

But you said you were quitting your job. And anyway, you’re only supposed to work Tuesday, Thursday, Friday. The trip is Sunday-Wednesday. That’s only one day of missed work, and we all know you have a gazillion vacation days stored up that you never use.

Jill

What about Max? He works all the days.

Brooke

I’m sure he can make it work. Or at least that’s what he told Will when he brought up the trip to him a couple of months ago.

Jill

Wait, what? Max said he wanted to go on this trip?

Brooke

Uh, yeah. You didn’t know that? Do you two talk, like, ever?

I bypass this very rude comment in favor of gathering more information.

Jill

No, I didn’t know that.

Next to me Max stirs. It’s almost 7. His alarm will be going off soon.

Jill

He really said he wanted to go?

Brooke

Yup. He said it had been far too long since the two of you had gotten away together.

Affection for my husband swells in my chest. I can’t believe he said that.