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torture.
    “Is this a money call?” he teased, unable to keep the huge smile off his face.
    “No!”
    “Bail?”
    “Technically that’s money, and no, it’s not.” Her charming laugh filled the line, and seriously—Matt was reaching for his wallet anyway.
    “What’s up, Number Two?”
    “Just making plans to come home for Thanksgiving break, and I think I can hitch a ride with Naomi, but then Miranda called and she’s bringing a boy! What the hell, man?”
    “Kent. And his parents. And Helena and Shane.”
    “Hoo boy. How’s Dad’s blood pressure?” She whistled.
    “Almost as high as mine.”
    “This is going to be the best holiday ever. Can I take video?”
    “Sure. We can use it as evidence later at the trial.”
    Katie laughed happily. She loved melodrama in the form of her older sister. If Matt knew her—and he did—at some point during the weekend, she would probably pop some corn and settle down to watch Miranda like she was a monster double feature.
    “I’m gonna need you on my side.”
    “Aww, Matt—always!” Someone screeched her name in the background, and she responded with a “Shut up! I’m talking to my dad’s boyfriend. Jesus.”
    He wasn’t going to lie—that felt good in a weird way.
    “Ugh, dorms are hell. I can’t wait until I can get an apartment off campus.” Katie came back on the line.
    “We’ll talk about that in two years.”
    “I’m just saying—I’m the good child. I deserve a condo.”
    “Duly noted.”
    They chatted all the way back into the city: family gossip, Katie’s first-semester classes and roommate antics. By the time the limo stopped in front of the house, Matt couldn’t get the smile off his face if he tried.
    “You let me know if you need to be picked up, okay?” Matt gave the driver a wave as he walked up the driveway.
    “Yes, Matt.” Katie blew kisses through the phone. “Love you.”
    “Love you too.”
    He switched off the phone and deposited it in his pocket as he reached for his house key. A warm feeling filled his veins.
    Home sweet home.
     
     
    T HE PLEASANT day continued as Matt not only found that the laundry had been started but got a “Dad’s getting dinner” grunt from Danny before the boy disappeared into his room. Elizabeth did her homework at the kitchen table, singing along with a CD in the stereo, her perpetually good-natured self not needing much from Matt except a second glass of juice somewhere in the middle of her pre-algebra.
    If every day went like this, he would never get another gray hair.
    Matt took a shower and then settled down in the living room with a notebook and pen, deciding to get a head start on the Thanksgiving From Hell list.
    Liquor. Yes. A bunch of stuff he could get catered from the grocery down the street. Check. Desserts? Multiple. Green beans and stuffing ingredients for the kids. Were the guest rooms up to snuff? Did he care? Would clean towels suffice?
    The couch shook as Danny threw himself against the armrest. “Hey.”
    “Hey.” Matt put the pen down. “I’m making a list for Thanksgiving. Anything in particular you want?”
    “A bus ticket for someplace else?” Danny shot him a look, and Matt couldn’t contain a snicker.
    “Only if you take me with you.” He marked down coconut cream pie because he knew it was Danny’s favorite.
    Danny focused on the television, seemingly fascinated by the muted scroll of scores and sports news. “It’s gonna suck. What if these people are, like, boring. Or….”
    “Or?” Matt caught the hesitation in Danny’s voice.
    “Or like the neighbors at our other house.”
    The bigots next door. The ones that irritated Danny enough to make the move desirable.
    “Ahh.” He felt stupid for not thinking of this already. They knew nothing about these people except that their son was probably having sex with Miranda, which meant his life was in serious danger from Evan. “Well, I’m guessing Miranda’s already told them about your dad and