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impertinence was exhausting.
    “Okay, maybe you’re moving. Maybe to another house, maybe to another state, I’m just saying…”
    “Of course, we want her to stay right here.” Beth to the rescue. “And luckily that’s what you want too, right, Ev?”
    Evie glowered at Laney. “Yes. I’m staying here, because it’s my home.” Evie played with Luca in lieu of strangling her best friend. Babies—the great equalizer. Mothers could unite over spit-up and night terrors or cherub cheeks and teething woes, no matter the situation.
    Except for Laney, who checked her Rolex. “I promised Jordyn and Jocelyn we’d go out for a sushi lunch. Anybody want to come?” Laney stood and looked at Beth and then Evie. Laney did not look at Nicole.
    “What’s Herb doing?” Evie asked.
    “He has patients until one, and then he’s meeting us.” Laney smiled the oft-whitened smile of a dentist’s wife, the same way she did when she discussed her chi, her yoga, or her newest vintage piece of jewelry. In her faded jeans and oversize sweater she was still put together, which is easy when your casual clothes come from Neiman’s, not a big-box store.
    “That’s great,” Beth said. “But I’m just going to hang out here for a bit if that’s okay.” She looked to Evie and Nicole. They nodded.
    Evie walked Laney to the back door. “Chill,” Evie said as she hugged Laney through her coat.
    “It’s a good thing Beth and I are next door.” Laney pulled back, but held Evie’s arms. “I saw her bring that suitcase inside. She’s cozying up to you because she has no one. I’m suspicious of people who have no one.”
    Laney could be suspicious of people with a vowel in their name.
    “Thanks, Lane. I appreciate your looking out for me, but I’m okay.”
    With Laney gone, Evie stood under the arch that separated the kitchen from the living room. Nicole was still on the floor with Luca. Beth sat within the parameters of their personal mother-baby space.
    Nicole looked up at Evie. “I thought the kids would want to play with Luca more. I don’t know why they didn’t stay.”
    “They’re with their friends. You know … being kids. It’s not Sam or Sophie’s job to take care of Luca,” Evie said.
    “I didn’t say it was their job.” Nicole’s voice rose. “I just thought—”
    “It’s nothing against Luca.” Evie did not add or you.
    In truth, the twins’ attention span with Luca was sincere but short-lived. They were just getting used to having a sibling, and now things were different. Again. During the day the twins wanted to be busy, they needed to be busy. Busy distracted them. Their friends distracted them. On the floor cootchie-cooing with a baby and their father’s widow wasn’t busy. It was a reminder.
    “I don’t think your other friend likes me very much.” Nicole pointed her chin in the direction of Laney’s former position.
    Evie ignored Nicole’s complaint. If it is so bad, why does she want to spend more time here? Evie attributed the negativity to Nicole’s grief, new motherhood, and an absentee family.
    “Don’t mind Laney,” Beth said. “She’s just very protective of Evie. Like I told you, just give it time. Laney will come around.”
    Like I told you?
    Nicole’s mouth twisted. “I’m not going to do anything to Evie.” Her tone matched that of a kid caught lying—a cross between guilt and belligerence, with a twinge of adolescent I’m not stupid .
    “No one said you would do anything to her.” Beth stared at Nicole until Nicole looked down between her knees. Was Beth defending Nicole or taunting her? Was Beth defending Evie or disregarding her?
    Evie reached across their circle of three to help Nicole unload the diaper bag, sending another mixed message.
    It was the only kind of message there was.
    “Let’s eat,” Evie said.
    They sat quietly around the kitchen table, but arms flying for turkey and rye, corned beef, coleslaw, potato salad, and leftover kugel. Evie