Jenelle’s eyes filled with tears. “Yes, sweetheart. She’s okay. I’d just had an ultrasound, and the doctor told me to watch her movements closely. It scared me.”

He nodded. “Good.”

I swallowed and looked at her again. “Kindness doesn’t mean people get to walk into our lives without knocking.”

“I know. Your son told me that the umbrella was from his dad. It struck something with me, Carina.”

“No, you don’t. Eli still sleeps with Darren’s sweatshirt when there’s thunder. That umbrella wasn’t a prop.”

Jenelle wiped at her cheek. “You’re right. I’m sorry, Eli. I’m sorry, Carina.”

A teenage boy raised his phone again.

Jenelle spun toward him. “Stop filming this  family. This is their home, not a stage.”

This time, everyone obeyed.

After the sidewalk finally emptied, I turned to Eli. “We’re taking all of this inside.”

“Can we open some first?” he asked.

“No, Eli.”

“