So when Elaine, Ryan’s mother, invited me and the kids to her annual Fourth of July pool party, I said no.
“Maggie,” she told me, “you’re still family.”
“Ryan will be there, Elaine.”
“I know.”
“With her.”
A long silence followed.
Then Elaine said, “Don’t let him make you disappear from places where you belong.”
“You’re still family.”
I wanted to believe her.
Instead, I searched for actors online at midnight.
Daniel was the third profile I clicked.
***
On the drive to Elaine’s house, I apologized for everything.
For traffic.
For the air conditioner being too cold.
For my daughter leaving fingerprints on Daniel’s window.
I apologized for everything.
Daniel didn’t point any of it out.
He answered the kids’ questions instead.
Yes, he had been in commercials.
No, he was not famous.
Yes, he had once played a pirate at a dental convention.
He was not famous.
