Page 51 of Homecoming

“Kara? Is that you?”

Kara looked up to see her brother Kolby in his post office uniform, mailbag slung across his chest. She got up to hug him.

“I thought that was you. Spotted you from across the street. How’s it going, ladies?”

“Good,” Renata said with a forced smile that Kara noticed but Kolby wouldn’t. “Nice to see you, cousin.”

“You, too. Been too long.” He looked at Kara. “How long are you here?”

“Depends on what happens with the brothers.”

Kolby grimaced. “It’s all anyone wants to talk about. I wish I could do my route in disguise, so I don’t have to deal with all the questions.”

“Sorry you’re caught in the crossfire.”

He shrugged. “Nothing new there, right?”

“Yeah, for sure.”

“You did the right thing getting out of here. I hope you don’t have to stay for long.”

“Despite the circumstances, it’s good to see people like you and the girls. I’ve missed you.”

“Missed you, too, sis. You look cute as a prego.”

“Right. I look like a water buffalo.”

“It’s not quite that bad. Yet.”

Kara gave him a friendly punch to the arm. “Watch it, mister.”

“Let’s get together while you’re here. I’d like to meet Dan.”

“We’ll do it. Somewhere far from here where no one knows us.”

“Perfect. Call me.”

“I will.”

He surprised her with a kiss on the cheek. “Really have missed you.”

Kara hadn’t realized how much she’d missed him until now. “Same, Kolbs.” She returned to her seat and took a sip of her ice water.

“Must be weird not to see your brother for years,” Jessie said.

“It is. I’ve missed him and some of the others.” Eager to change that subject and the one they’d been on before Kolby spotted them, Kara said, “How’s Doug doing?” Jessie’s longtime boyfriend had struggled with opioid addiction.

“He’s great. Three years sober, and it seems to be sticking this time.”

“I’m so glad to hear that. You must be so happy.”

“I am,” she said. After a long silence, she said, “Did you find out what you’re having?”

“No, we decided to let it be a surprise.”

“You’d deny us our right to the cheesy gender-reveal party?” Ellery asked, smiling.

“God yes. I’m trying to picture Dan at a gender-reveal party. He’d be mocking the entire thing the way I did the engagementparty Judith insisted on throwing us.” Kara shuddered. “That day turned into a disaster, so we’re all set with parties like that.”

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