it out of habit, moving through the motions lik

table, which was usually Bailey's spot, but he wasn't

. She piled his plate high with mashed potatoes and g

d, pinching his cheek. "Exactly li

r for once. He squinted at the boy, noddin

e him a high-five. "That's my boy!

table. She ate her chicken. She chew

see, Adeline? This is what a real Frost looks like. This is what family mean

reement. "About ti

of silver against china was sharp.

eo. "Eat your v

ored. "Are you even listening to me? Bailey gave us a son. A real son. Yo

Then at Earl. Then at Cletus. She smiled. It wa

softly. "Truly. It means I can

d by the response. "Wha

ore," Adeline said. "Leo is your heir.

s wife. You will raise him. You wil

ce was quiet, but it cut through the room like

sound was the ticking of the gr

rned purple. "Wh

tood up, smoothing down her skirt. "You can keep the hous

er. "You made a vow, Adeline! In front of God and everyone! You don't just

eline replied. She turned her back on

nd her. She heard Cletus sweari

idn't

e had packed it six months ago, just in case. A small rolling suitcase. Inside was her pass

il skirt. She pulled on jeans, a t-shirt, a

lept in alone. The vanity covered in expensive makeup sh

ndle of the suitca

was ranting about lawyers and theft. Earl was pou

gh the living room. Nobody notice

he engine purred to life, a sou

rolled up, she saw Fronia standing in the do

be paid! Who is going to cook? Who is going to

se. She backed out into the

ia was standing in the driveway, her ar

the dial until she found a country stati

he speedometer climbed. The

t look ba