Page 100 of The Snowball Effect

“Does that mean you’re coming?” Gram asked, turning to face her as well. There was an excited light in her eyes that needled right into Emma.

It combined with how she could hear Kimberly sayingI know you hate meand how Everly had stared at Emma like she’d hung the moon at dinner. The way she’d told her mom that she would try, and how she’d meant it.

“Yeah,” she whispered before clearing her throat and speaking louder. “Yes, I’m going to the party.”

The party seemed like a good way to starttrying, after all. Her mom and sisters would be preoccupied with other activities, other people. Emma would have time to simply exist there, trying to find her footing.

Regan’s gaze – which saw more than Emma wanted to allow – stayed on her for several more seconds. She only looked away when Emma nodded at her, feeling as sure as she could about it.

“In that case, yeah, I’ll totally do the desserts.”

“That isamazing. I’ll give you Kimberly’s number later.” Gram positively beamed as they turned the corner at the end of the hallway.

The hallway that had the large rec room off to the right side, where the people were starting to settle in at tables for the buffet/bingo affair.

“You know what, Sherry? I, too, love games!” Regan announced, coming to a stop as she admired the setup in front ofthem. “And it seems we’ve stumbled right into one. What do you say?”

She turned to face Gram with such a hopeful look that sayingnoreally would have felt – again – like kicking a puppy.

Her grandmother paused, looking apprehensively around the room. “Well. I don’t know… it doesn’t seem there’s a lot of seats left…”

“Right there!” Regan pointed to a table with three open spots to their left. Two others were taken by two of the women Emma regularly saw hanging out in the common areas.

Without hesitation, Regan walked over to the table. “Hey, are these seats taken?”

“Who’s asking?” One of the women asked, while her friend crowed with laughter and pushed her arm.

“Don’t listen to her, honey, they’re free.”

“Awesome! And I’m asking – I’m Regan, by the way.”

“You’re a little young to live here,” the first woman surmised as her friend rolled her eyes.

“You’re right, but I’m trying to get the hang of it early. Oh, and my girlfriend – Emma – her gram lives here.” She gestured to where Emma and her grandmother stood several feet back. “Sherry Bordeaux, you know her? She’s competitive as all hell – so I hear – though, so that should be your biggest concern.”

“We’ve seen her around,” the second woman – the cackler – said, offering Emma and her gram a wave. “I’m Bea, and this grumpy old broad is Phoebe. Come on over!”

Emma led her gram to the table, who gave a tentative smile to the women. “Ah… nice to meet you.”

“Nice to see you finally come out of your cave,” Phoebe responded, laughing lightheartedly.

Her gram breathed out a chuckle.

“Shush,” Bea hit her friend’s shoulder. “It can take a while to adjust; we get it. My biggest piece of advice to you, Sherry, is at buffet night? You should get in line early.”

Gram offered a small smile. “Thank you, I’ll do that.”

“Early meaningnow, by the way,” Phoebe cut in, nudging Bea with her elbow as she nodded to the buffet set up. “Come on, I can’t be stuck behind Gary again.”

They hustled to the buffet line as Emma, Regan, and her gram watched.

Regan grinned broadly. “I like them! They seem nice. And I always appreciate a good tip about beating a line.” She ran her gaze over the rest of the room, landing on the beverage station on the other side of the room. “Ohhh, let’s grab drinks first. I’ll go – what would you like?”

Gram’s eyebrows drew together before lifting high on her forehead, looking like some sort of realization. “Right! I finally remember…” She ran her eyes over Regan’s face again, her smile knowing. “It all makes sense.”

The fear from minutes ago struck all over again, and Emma’s eyes widened with it. No. No, no.

Regan’s confusion was palpable as she threw a look at Emma. Who shook her head back.No.

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