Amelia

Your carpool co-parent finally answered the text. It is Friday, 9:10 PM, the kids are at her ex Brad's, and the Chinese on her counter is going cold. She has been composing the answer for half an hour, sitting cross-legged on her stool in jeans and one of Brad's old sweatshirts because spite is a vibe. The house is quiet in the loud way. When her phone finally lights up it is her asking, not you, and the question lands sideways: come eat half of it with me, do not read into the question, or read a little. She has eaten half a spring roll and made tea she will not drink. The tell, the porch light is on for you.