Then, right on time, the front door opened.
Jean walked in, wearing a bright dress, acting like nothing had happened. She held her phone in one hand and her purse in the other.
Beside her were two guests, Ruby and Tan.
Ruby was tall and slim, her hair tied neatly. Tan was dressed in flashy clothes with sunglasses on his head even though it wasn't sunny.
When Ruby and Tan stepped into the dining room and saw everyone sitting around the table with serious faces… they both froze.
Ruby glanced at Jean, then at Mary. She could feel something wasn't right.
Tan scratched the back of his neck. "Uh… did we come at a bad time?"
Jean blinked, confused. "What's with the long faces?"
Mary stood up slowly. Her voice was calm, but firm.
"Jean, we need to talk. All of us. And your children… they should sit and listen too. Since they've been part of this, whether they know it or not."
Jean looked at Mary with big, excited eyes. In her heart, she thought,
