My Mom Called Me At 2 A.M. “Tomorrow, You Can Join Your Brother’s Fiancée’s Family For Dinner. BUT KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT.” I Asked Why. She Snapped: “Her Dad’s A Judge. Don’t Embarrass Us, You Always Do.” I Smiled: “Got It.” During The Toast, The Judge Suddenly Stopped Right In Front Of Me: “Hello, I’m Surprised To See You Here. Who Are You To Them?” The Room Fell ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Silent.

“I have been busy with the arrangements,” she replied, and I knew that actually meant she had been busy helping Cade with whatever mess he was currently in.

I rubbed my eyes and realized I had a hearing preparation meeting at eight in the morning, so I told her I could drive down after work and asked what time I needed to be there.

“Six thirty, and please do not be late because we need everything to be perfect,” she said, pausing as I heard the faint clink of dishes on her end as if she were already organizing the table.

Then she added a second sentence that made me go completely still, telling me that I could come but that I had to keep my mouth shut during the conversation.

The room, which had been full of the ordinary nighttime sounds of old pipes and the hum of my refrigerator, suddenly felt much too quiet as I asked her to repeat herself.

“Do not start with me, Audrey, because Mallory’s father is a very respected federal judge,” she said firmly.

I swung my legs over the side of the bed and felt the cold floorboards against my skin as my throat began to tighten with a familiar sense of frustration.