Am I catching you at a bad time?”

“No. Just arrived home. What’s up?”

“Heard that Cass’s birthday dinner was kind of intense.”

“Kind of.” Kit dropped her leather satchel stuffed with books and student papers on the couch in the living room and kicked off one shoe and then the other. “Tommy was all over Cass last night, too, never leaving her side. At first I thought it was because he was being protective, but then later, after the whole make-a-wish thing, I realized he was trying to keep her from talking about the miscarriage.”

“Do you think it was that, or do you think he just didn’t want her talking about babies in general?”

“Both. He’s over the baby thing. And you know Tommy: when he digs his heels in, he’s stubborn. Nothing can move him.”

“Sounds like he needs time.”

“I don’t know, Sarah. I get the feeling he’s really, truly done.”

“He can’t be done. What about Cass? She wants to be a mom.”

“I know. Cass is struggling. It wasn’t a great birthday.”

“Speaking of birthdays…you’ve got one coming up.”

Kit walked toward the kitchen, flicking on lights as she went. “It’s not one I feel like celebrating.”

“Forty is not bad anymore.”

“Because you’re heading there yourself?”

Sarah laughed. “I still have six years.”

“Lucky you,” Kit sassed, opening the refrigerator in the kitchen. Yogurt, yogurt, yogurt. Carrots, wilted lettuce, an old container of hummus. Nothing very appetizing. She closed the refrigerator door. “How are the kids? Boone? Is he looking forward to spring training?”

“You can’t change the subject.”

“I just did.” Kit opened a cupboard, scanned the crackers, popcorn, and cereal boxes before grabbing the box of Special K with strawberries. She had no milk, so she’d eat it dry. “And I’m hoping to get tickets for their first season appearance in the Bay Area. Do you know when that is?”

“I’ll send you his schedule, but you haven’t distracted me. We’re going to do something special for your birthday, Kit.”

Kit returned to the living room with the box of cereal, plunked down on the couch, and turned on the TV, muting the sound. “This isn’t the year to celebrate, Sarah. Not with Mom…” She couldn’t finish the thought. Didn’t even try.

“But it’s Mom’s idea to celebrate your birthday, Kit. It’s what Mom wants,” Sarah said sternly.

And if that was the case, Kit was defeated.

“If it makes you feel any better, Kit,” Sarah added, softening her voice, “it’s not just for you. It’s for you and Brianna. Mom wants to celebrate that her twins are turning forty—”

“Brianna will hate the fuss, too.”

“—by going on a cruise.”

“A cruise?”

“Mom’s never been on one and thinks this is the perfect way to celebrate with the entire family.”

“You’re not serious.”

“I am.”

“Sarah!”

“It’s what she wants, and she’s really excited about the idea, and she asked me last week to handle the logistics. She was going to announce it Sunday night at her house, but then didn’t think the timing was right with Cass so upset.” Sarah paused, and Kit could hear her rustling through a stack of paper.