Page 66 of Ticket to You

Ophelia doesn’t put on a show for my family. She doesn’t pretend to be just like them or share all the same interests. Just as she had been with all of her interviewees, just like she is with me, Ophelia is attentive and witty and appreciative.

She listens intently when Joel and Micah talk about their year with Doctors Without Borders. She asks Eloise about what her marathon training entails. She laughs at every one of Jude’s stupid tooth-related jokes. Dad and her talk about their favorite books and their mutual love for old movies.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen her smile so much, and it’s the most beautiful sight. When she smiles, her entire face comes alive. The curve of her lips is like a work of art, begging to be studied and appreciated.

By five, Mom still isn’t home. I catch Dad and Eloise trading knowing looks every few minutes.

Micah is the first to acknowledge the situation out loud, grinning through his words. “I can’t believe Mom would miss out on seeing her little baby boy. What did you do to her, Ophelia?”

Ophelia shrugs. “Maybe you need to help me get on her good side. What does Naomi like?”

Everyone but Joel is huddled tightly around the circular breakfast nook table. Joel is in the kitchen, crafting each of us an ice cream sundae. “You know, classic mom stuff,” he says.

Ophelia smiles politely, obviously not wanting to bring attention to the fact that she doesn’t know the “classic mom stuff.”

Jude leans forward on the table and winks at Ophelia. “She loves protecting her precious children, like a lioness with her cubs.”

“I’ve gathered that much, thank you,” Ophelia says.

“Mom loves reminding us we’re not living up to expectations,” Micah says.

“Hey now,” Dad interrupts, frowning at Micah. “She just thinks you all have a world of potential at your fingertips and wants you to grab hold of it. She doesn’t mean to be critical.” He and Mom divorced over a decade ago, but they’re still the best of friends—and one hell of a co-parenting duo.

Ophelia is sandwiched between me and Eloise, who reaches out to squeeze her hand. “More than anything, Mom loves being with the family. She likes to go on group hikes, play pickleball together, kick all of our asses at Scrabble and Black Jack—”

“She also enjoys gardening, particularly when it includes planting the seeds of doubt in your mind about your abilities and life choices,” Joel says, sprinkling toppings over each of our ice cream sundaes.

“Especially when it comes to dating,” Micah grumbles.

“Which makes me wonder, how come I’m the only outsider brought into the belly of the beast this weekend?” Ophelia asks.

Jude shrugs. “You’re the only outsider there is.”

Ophelia scoffs. “Yeah, right. You’re all good-looking, successful, funny enough people, and you expect me to believe you’re all single?”

“Did you hear that, Adam?” Micah asks with a cocky smile. “Your girlfriend just called me good looking.”

“Oh, come on!” Ophelia says, laughing. “Be serious.”

My siblings and I trade glances.

Jude breaks the silence, waving a dismissive hand. “You’re an anomaly, Philly. Anyone we’ve brought home hasn’t made it more than a few hours.”

“Ugh, remember when I brought Tom to meet the family?” Eloise groans, hiding her face behind her hands. “We had been dating for six months and afteroneafternoon with Mom, he was running for the hills.”

Dad’s gentle, easygoing laugh lightens the mood. “Can you blame the guy? One can only be asked overly personal questions so many times before it triggers their fight or flight. ‘What are your plans for retirement? I know someone down the street selling their home—would you be interested in settling down in this neighborhood…’”

“‘Oh, by the way, what’s your credit score?’” Eloise interjects in a mocking tone, dropping her hands so she can stare solemnly at Ophelia. “That was the one that did Tom in.”

“My credit’s excellent, so at least I have that going.” Ophelia chuckles. “What question was the nail in the coffin for Adam’s last woman?”

My brothers all bust into a round of laughter, and even Eloise joins in at the end. Ophelia, meanwhile, looks around questioningly. Her eyes land on me and I feel my face warm.

“Adam has never been brave enough to bring a woman home,” Joel explains as he shakes rainbow sprinkles over one of the sundaes. “You’re his first sacrificial lamb.”

Ophelia leans onto the table and glances between Dad and Eloise, probably because she already knows they’re the most trustworthy. “You’re lying.”

“I can see why you’re so surprised. I’m such a natural charmer,” I say flatly.

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