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“No, I get it. That would be inappropriate.”

“Very.”

“It’s fine,” Annie said. “Just a one-time thing, then.”

Helen nodded. “Agreed.”

Annie eased the car back into the right-hand lane, her hands gripping the wheel.

Chapter 11

Kevin did not want togo to the Paula Abdul concert.

Annie had purchased three tickets, figuring Helen would take Ashley and Kevin and she’d stay home with the baby, but now the baby was gone.

“You could take Aunt Sal,” Annie suggested.

Ashley looked up at her mother questioningly, but Helen narrowed her eyes. “We can certainly ask her, but I’m finding that very difficult to picture,” Helen said.

“What about a friend from…” Annie stopped, seeing Helen shake her head. “Ballet class? Or one of your cousins?”

“That won’t work,” Ashley said quietly.

“I’m not going!” Kevin called out from the other room, where he was parked in front of the Nintendo.

“Understood, buddy,” Helen called back.

“Why can’t you come?” Ashley asked Annie.

“I mean,” Annie said helplessly, “your brother can’t stay home alone.”

“I’ll ask Sal to watch Kevin,” Helen said. “You bought the tickets, Annie. You should come.”

“Don’t you like Paula Abdul?” Ashley asked, eyes narrowing as if gearing up for a fight. They’d all heard the Paula-Abdul-is-the-greatest-dancer-ever spiel from Ashley more than once, and no one wanted to hear it again.

“Obviously I like Paula Abdul. She’s the greatest dancer ever,” Annie said.

Ashley looked pleased to hear her speech repeated back to her.

Truthfully, Annie had no strong feelings about Paula Abdul one way or the other, but she and Helen had diligently stayed awayfrom one another ever since the trip to Lori’s. It wasn’t easy, but the routine of daily life helped. “I have to fly home tomorrow. That’s all.” Though it wasn’t like she had never been tired on a flight before.

“Right,” Helen said.

“But it’ll be fine.” Annie gave in when she saw Ashley push out her lower lip in a pout. “I can sleep on the plane.”

“Okay,” Helen said. “If you’re sure.”

“Are you sure you want me? No one else?”

“I’m sure,” Ashley said.

“Maybe Sal can come a little early and cut your hair.” Helen looked at her daughter with a critical eye. “I can barely see your face under those bangs. Your brother needs a haircut too.”

“Sal does hair?” Annie asked.

“Yeah, she owns the hair salon down on Florence,” Helen said. “She could do yours too, if you want.”

Annie reached up and touched the ragged ends of her hair. “I mean, if she has time, that’d be nice.”