“Well, somebody’s going to need a hotel.”

Patrick laughed.

He thought I was joking.

***

I was putting milk away when Linda followed me into the kitchen.

“I don’t understand your attitude.”

He thought I was joking.

“My attitude?”

“You invited us, Clarissa. Now you’re acting like we’re intruding.”

I turned toward her.

“Who told you I invited everyone?”

“Patrick said you wanted us all together.”

“You invited us, Clarissa.”

I called him into the kitchen.

“Did you tell your mother this was my idea?”

He shrugged.

“I said you were looking forward to seeing everyone.”

He shrugged.

“That’s not what you told us,” Linda interrupted. “You said she’d planned everything.”

Kevin looked over from the couch.

“Yeah. You said Clarissa wanted a family weekend.”

Patrick frowned at his brother.

“Thanks, Kevin.”

“You said she’d planned everything.”

“What? That’s what you told me, bro.”

Linda folded her arms.

“Well, we’re already here.”

That’s when I realized Patrick hadn’t just ignored my objections.

He’d made me responsible for promises I’d never made.

Linda folded her arms.

I took my purse.

“Where are you going?” he asked.

“Out for lunch.”

“What about everyone else?”

“You invited them. I’m sure you can manage sandwiches.”

“Out for lunch.”

I left before another argument could begin.

***

Kylie caught up with me outside.

“Can I come?”

I nodded.

We walked to a nearby café, where she ordered coffee and I bought a sandwich.

Kylie caught up with me outside.

“I told Kevin this apartment was too small,” she admitted.

“At least somebody can count.”

She smiled briefly.

“Patrick made it sound like you’d arranged everything.”

“Apparently, I’m quite the hostess.”

“At least somebody can count.”

Kylie stirred her coffee.

“He’s also been saying you don’t enjoy spending time with us.”

I stopped eating.

“Since when?”

“A few months ago. He said you kept finding reasons to avoid family plans.”

Kylie stirred her coffee.

I remembered missing Linda’s birthday dinner because I’d been sick. I’d also skipped a Sunday lunch to cover a shift.

Patrick had encouraged both decisions.

“He told me to stay home that night,” I said.

Kylie frowned.

“He told Linda you didn’t feel like coming.”

Kylie frowned.

“So this wasn’t just a change of scenery?” I asked.

“Not for us. Kevin and I can’t use our bathroom until the plumbers finish Monday. Linda and Robert thought they’d make a weekend of it.”

She looked uncomfortable.

“Kevin wanted to save on a hotel. I agreed. I should’ve checked with you first.”

“Not for us.”