Chapter 74

• We have dinner an hour later with the entire family, except for Cole and Shanna, who are in Puerto Rico. Fenice spends the entire dinner laughing, talking, and now and then she steals glances at me. She has a smile that lights up her face as I’ve never seen before; this must be what she looks like when she is truly happy.
• Dinner ends quickly and then we all head into the cinema room to watch a quick romance flick. Fenice, however, sits by her dad and Gia, so I’m stuck alone in the back, having to listen to her laughter. I miss her, but I know I can’t be selfish. I have to give her the time she needs with him, no matter how lonely I feel. I sigh as the movie comes to a close. I expect we would watch another but Gia and Carlos have an early day tomorrow so they head out. Mrs. Marshall excuses herself and heads to bed and I’m about to do the same since Fenice and Syl normally watch movies and talk until the early morning. I stand when Syl suddenly announces.
• “I’m going to bed. You two have a good night.”