LOGIN*Will* Cheryl, the social worker, sits at the kitchen table across from me, her fingernails clicking on her keyboard. She wears rings on all her fingers and bangles on both wrists that clink faintly each time she moves. She’s interviewing us for our second home study report. We’ve been at this for an hour, with no end in sight. Kiera has already refilled each of our coffee mugs twice. On her third attempt, Cheryl covered the top of her mug with her hand. “Any more java, and I’ll cartwheeling out of here.” Now she sits next to me, her knee bouncing with nervous energy. She had her time in the hot seat yesterday. Cheryl interviewed her for over three hours, asking a range of questions about her early life, her upbringing, and her current relationship with his family. She quizzed her in detail on her connections to her nieces and nephews, her experiences as a parental figure. They talked about Frida, of what she means to Kiera. I listened with pride as she spouted off everything from
*Kiera* Well, we’re right back where we started, sitting on the couch in Candy’s office, waiting for her to tell us how she’s going to make this all go away again. The only difference is that her lovely receptionist has been replaced by a highly competent Korean college student named Yoon Hee. Will sits next to me, looking as relaxed as I’ve ever seen him. Why is he not more upset about all this? Why isn’t he freaking out? It’s been two days, and Tina is still a mess. Now Candy is pacing, and I feel like I have gravel churning in my stomach. But he’s just sitting there, sipping the coffee Yoon Hee brought us, looking like he doesn’t have a care in the world. He catches my anxious stare and smiles, placing a hand on my thigh. “Can’t even go away for three weeks without it all going to hell in a hand basket,” Candy mutters, still pacing. “Sorry, Candy.” She spins around in her heels. “Oh, Kiera, don’t you apologize, honey. This isn’t your fault. It’s not your fault either,” she qu
*Will* I walk down the hall and accept the call, worrying if something has happened with mom, since it is him calling. “Hey, Dad.” “Oh, Will, what have you done?” He instantly say, but I can hear from his voice and tone that this is one of his good days… one of the few where his mind is clear. Closing the door to the bedroom, I sit down on the edge of the bed and try for a tone of levity. “I take it the story about my new devilish reputation has arrived in Denmark?” “This is no laughing matter, son. A reporter came to the house this afternoon.” He is starting to sound worried and upset… less clear. My heart stops. “What? Is mom there? Can I talk to her?” There is a bit of commotion and my mom’s voice sound on the other end. “Your father insisted on calling you himself.” “Is he okay?” I ask and then add. “What is this with a rapporter showing up?” “He asked all kinds of questions, upsetting your father, confusing him with rumors of your infidelity. The questions played wi
*Will* The elevator doors open on our floor, and I help Frida out to see Tina waiting for us at the end of the hall. She scrambles off the floor at first sight of us, phone in hand. Her eyes look puffy, like she’s been crying. “Tina, look,” Frida calls in Danish, waving her uncasted arm in the air. “It’s all better now, doctor Said it is as good as new.” “Look at you,” Tina coos, finding her a smile. All the while, she casts me a look of warning that has my stomach sinking. “What is it?” I say, reaching in my pocket for the keys. “Why are you here so early?” I pause, glancing around. “And why are you waiting in the hall? Did you lose your key?” “Umm… no. I guess I didn’t feel right about just going in.” She clutches to her phone. “Is Kiera not with you?” I shake my head, “She had to cover someone at work.” She steps back. “I can… I think I’ll come back later then.” “No. Stay.” I tell her. Her eyes go wide at my command, giving me all the proof I need that something is defi
*Will* “How do you feel?” I ask in Danish, watching Frida flex her hand, newly without its purple cast and now having her first checkup to see how it works ans how much help She will need with the physio. “Strange,” she murmurs, rotating her wrist the way the doctor showed her. “My bone isn’t broken anymore?” “No. Your body healed itself.” I brush a hand down her thick Dutch braid, kissing the top of her head. “You’re so strong, mit lille lam.” She gives a small sigh, “But not my leg, right?” I smile, “Not yet. But soon.” “And then I can do ballet again? And go to school?” She asks hopefully. “Of course. Mr. Torres says you’re doing wonderfully well with your English lessons. He thinks you’ll be ready for American school in January.” I confirm. “And ballet?” Her brow furrows with that serious look of a child determined to have her way. Her friend Emma is doing a recital with her ballet school of Swan Lake this Christmas. Emma’s has invited us to attend. It’s all Fri
*Kiera* “Ouch,” I cry, shaking out my fist. “Oh, fuck, that fucking hurt.” Corey reels around, one hand rising to catch the blood now dripping from his nose. His expression is all surprise. “You hit me, you little bitch.” “Talk shit about my husband again, I’ll do more than hit you,” I shout, adrenaline pumping. “And if you ever touch me again, I’ll run you over with his goddamn Porsche. Then I’ll let Will fuck me on the hood while you scream. Is that clear enough for you? This little fish is off limits.” The moment he digests my words, he lunges, surprising us both with his drunken violence. I scramble backwards, crying out as Corey goes stumbling past me and into the wall. But he’s not actually stumbling. He was shoved from behind. “Will!” I step back, eyes wide. “Oh god, stop!” Will and Corey wrestle down to the floor in a great storm of grunts and curses. Their fighting tips over a stack of boxes. Plastic cups and lids go rolling around on the floor. Corey fight
*Will*I watch as Kiera takes a moment to survey the guest room. The bed is a relic from the early 90s, the kind of mattress that’s sagged in the middle from years of use. I can’t help but chuckle as I say, “I told you it was small.”Her eyes dart around the room, taking in the vintage floral wallp
*Kiera* I cradle a steaming cup of coffee in my hands as I step out onto the back porch, the cool evening air wrapping around me like a comforting blanket. The sun dips low in the sky, casting a warm glow over the backyard, where a few fireflies begin to flicker to life. I find Will sitting
*Kiera*As we pull up to Will’s parents’ house, my heart races. It’s a small but cozy-looking place, with flower boxes spilling over with colorful blooms and a welcoming front porch. I can’t help but feel a wave of warmth wash over me. This feels like home, even if it’s not mine.Will glances at me
*Will*I glance sideways at Kiera, her leg bouncing like a jackhammer against the seat. My stomach sinks as I realize she’s a bundle of nerves, just like I was a few moments ago. “Hey,” I say, trying to keep my voice light, “what’s got you so tense?”She looks at me, her eyes wide and vulnerable. “







