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behavior.” Her expression is so bright that I can't refuse her.
    “Fine.” I hear myself agreeing.
    “Now, go and get ready!” She shoos me off while holding down a piece of muffin to Luke, who has wobbled over to have a bite.
    *****
    After spending a few hours picking up decorations, a large cake and various food trays we make a quick stop at the ice cream place as promised. The kids were fairly well behaved. Luke only had one meltdown at the party supply store over balloons, and we lost Jack and Jordyn just twice in Target as opposed to the four or five times they tend to take off, usually in opposite directions. Dee and I also picked up a bottle of wine as our reward for later.
    By two in the afternoon, we were setting up for the party in Dee and Cole’s enormous back yard. Their once modest sized house is now showing off all of its expanded features to include a huge back deck and built in climate-controlled sunroom. Just one of the many perks of being an architect with access to the best contractors in town. People were starting to arrive and our guest of honor, Sam, Cole’s dad, was among them. He started the business twenty-five years ago and felt it was time to retire. Cole has been primarily running things for a while and doing an amazing job. He also recommended me to his father right after college, and since then I've been working as an accountant for his small architectural firm, E & Company.
    Cole was manning two grills and preparing to cook the burgers. Justin Rich, one of the firm’s contractors, was entertaining the kids with an all-out water gun fight.
    “Do you see Justin over there?” Dee whispers from across the picnic table where she is stacking plates and cups. She looks around before mouthing, “Body be bangin'.” and then grins at me.
    I giggle and nod quickly in agreement. Dee and I have developed a slight obsession with Justin, who Cole recently brought in to help with a project.
    “God, he looks so young. He can’t be more than twenty-five.” I whisper back.
    “No, he’s our age. Mid thirties.” Dee says confidently.
    “There is no way.”
    “Why not? Do we look old or something?”
    I decide not to verbally answer and opt for a neutral shrug. The last time we talked about aging Dee ending up convincing me to go and get a tattoo with her. She’s liable to suggest nipple piercing next. I feel myself shudder at the thought.
    I look over at Justin again who is fighting off the attack of at least six water guns with Olivia’s help. Leave it to my daughter to help out the underdog. She has such a good heart, like her daddy. Speaking of Alex, I pull out my phone to see if he’s called me. Nothing.
    No missed calls or texts. Sadly, I am not surprised.
    He hasn’t called at all since he left on Tuesday. He’s sent a couple of texts to let me know that he landed and to check on the girls but nothing more than that. He always claims to be so busy that he never has very much time to talk on the phone or that he's in the presence of his employees so personal conversations are difficult. Disappointed, I start to put my phone back into my pocket. I'm about to change my mind and give Alex another ring when a voice calls out, “Hey, Mrs. Easton.” Justin speaks, directing his gaze at DeeDee. “You got a towel I can use. I got my you-know-what-handed to me by the kids just now.” He gestures behind him with a thumb.
    “Do you give up?” Colton runs over and yells at Justin.
    “Yes, Yes. I'm out, dude.” Justin replies throwing is hands up in the universal sign of surrender.
    “That’s enough, Colt. Go back over and play with the other kids now.” DeeDee tells her son before turning back to Justin. “And you better quit calling me Mrs. Easton. That’s my mother-in-law. Call me DeeDee. I’ll be back with a towel.” She flashes her best hostess smile, but I don’t miss the quick once over her eyes give him before she goes into the house.
    I can’t blame her. It's difficult to