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whine.
    “Those kids better not come out here and mess with her,” she said. “They asked me about ten times already if they could play with the dog. I told them she has to rest first, but they seem like spoiled brats who are used to having their way.”
    “I can see you like children,” I said dryly.
    “Some are okay. This pair seem like assholes.”
    “A merry Christmas to you too.”
    I laughed and held out my hand. Anna took it , and we went inside, leaving Baby to wail over our abandonment.
     
    Anna
    By the time dinner was ready, I was too filled up on the hors d’o euvres Mom had set out and bleary-eyed with exhaustion from the long drive, not to mention the martinis my dad had fixed for me.
    My mo ther had organized the meal ahead of time and insisted there was nothing for me or Chloe to do, so I sat on the sofa beside Jason in front of a crackling fire and listened while Chloe filled us in on her family. I learned more about her boys’ schools and soccer teams than I cared to. The various illnesses or accomplishments of this aunt or that cousin were explained in great detail. I nodded periodically, happy to give the floor to Chloe since I was so wiped.
    But there was still a meal to get through. I dragged myself reluctantly from the couch to the dining room. Crystal stemware and the best china seemed a pretty bad call on Mom’s part, considering the little boys’ destructive ways. Since I’d arrived, they’d broken their spaceship toy and one of Mom’s vases. Then I noticed she’d set two places with plastic Toy Story plates from my childhood. The sight of those cartoon faces, well marked by the scrapes of forks and spoons, made me smile.
    I took my place between Jason and my dad while everyone complimented Mom on the meal, which smelled heavenly.
    “ Retirement’s been a little dull, so I’ve been taking cooking classes among other things.”
    I’d never considered how a workaholic like my mother might cope with retirement. Shame filled me that I’d rarely talked to her about what was new in her life. “What else are you doing?”
    “Pottery and painting , a creative writing class I didn’t care much for, and tennis. Zumba on Wednesdays and, of course, sometimes I golf with your father.”
    “I had no idea you had so many interests.”
    “Well…”
    For a moment, I was sure she would add, You never asked .
    “When you’ve worked as many hours a week as I have and suddenly find yourself at loose ends, you need to find something to fill the time.”
    “Since my mom and dad moved to Florida, they’re busier than ever,” Chloe said. “With all their clubs and boards and recreational activities, they hardly have time to come visit their grandchildren. Tomorrow will be the first time we’ve seen them in three months!”
    The conversation moved on, and I zoned out a little. That second martini really had me blurring around the edges. I ate a few bites of the delicious beef bordelaise and wondered, if I ever had children, how often my parents would come to Columbus to visit them.
    “What about you, Jason?” My mom’s voice snapped me back to the present. “I believe Anna mentioned you’re working at a kennel now?”
    “ Yes, ma’am.” Jason didn’t elaborate. I noted the way his hand clenched his fork and the unfocused look in his eyes. He was really tired, too tired to have to work at dinner conversation.
    “Do you have any plans for the future?” My mom cocked her head, a subtle gesture I recognized all too well. She used to assume that posture before grilling me about a topic. One time, I’d watched her in court, and she’d done the same thing to a witness.
    “Jason’s taking a business class,” I answered quickly. “He’d like to open his own boarding kennel someday.”
    “Do you have a time frame for that?” She stared at Jason.
    “I’ve only just started the class. I don’t have much money saved , and I’m not ready to take out a big loan, even if I could get