The smell of well-seasoned meat wafted through the house, bringing a smile to Sandra’s lips.

“Oh Lynn, I can’t wait to eat that now,” she exclaimed, looking over her friend’s shoulders at the sizzling meat.

Lynn chuckled as she scooped the food out into two containers on the counter. “Knowing you, I guess you have been eating out every day. It must get pretty boring.”

Sandra groaned. “I’ve been yearning for a good homecooked meal for some time now. You’re my savior, Lynn.”

Clicking her tongue against the roof of her mouth, Lynn hummed in thought. “I would have brought over some food earlier this week for you but I’ve been busy with my new job.”

Sandra waved a hand in dismissal as she leaned back on the island counter. “No don’t trouble yourself too much. I’m already happy to have such a wonderful meal from you today.”

Thumbing the glass of water in her hand, Sandra tilted her head to one side. “But what is this new job that you have? I thought you guys were doing well enough.”

Lynn grimaced. She ran a hand through her sweaty hair as she transferred the plates and pans into the sink and turned on the tap. “It’s only a part-time gig to help with some expenses. I’m working as a waitress at the bar in town.”

Frowning, Sandra placed her glass down. The last time she visited, she had felt the tension between Mark and Lynn but didn’t have a chance to ask. Now that the two of them were alone, she could have a woman-to-woman talk.

“Lynn, tell me honestly. Is everything alright with you and Mark?”

Lynn’s scrubbing halted. “Not really. I guess you noticed right? The fights.”

“You guys weren’t like this before.”

“Yeah, things changed a while back. It started getting worse when Ray was 3 or 4 years old,” Lynn's voice lowered as she continued to wash the dishes. “You were long gone before then.”

Guilt sunk its claws into Sandra’s heart. She turned her head away, unable to look her old friend in the eye. Her hand gripped the edge of the countertop, its cold, hard surface grounding her in the hard reality that she ran away from her hometown and her friends.

“I’m sorry.” Regret tinged her voice. “I should have contacted you guys but..”

A gentle touch on her shoulder made her turn. Wearing a kind smile, Lynn said reassuringly, “It’s not your fault. I understand.”

Her stomach churned. Wide eyes flitted over Lynn’s face, pleading at the woman not to forgive her. Lynn didn’t understand anything. If she did, she would not be smiling at her right now, telling her it wasn’t her fault, sharing food with her. She didn’t deserve Lynn’s kindness. Swallowing down the lump in her throat, Sandra mustered a smile and murmured a soft thanks.

Lynn patted her back before returning her attention to the dishes in the sink. The sound of running water cut through the tension in the air and Sandra gulped, reaching for her glass.

As she wolfed down the water, Lynn said, “You know, I never realized love would be so complicated.”

The water ran down Sandra’s parched throat. Closing her eyes, she let the cold liquid seep through her veins and calm her swirling emotions.

Oblivious to Sandra's state, Lynn ranted, “Love isn’t just about two people. No matter how well you get along with each other, there’s always in-laws and family to deal with.”

At the mention of in-laws, Lynn gave a sarcastic cluck. “And you know Mark’s parents, right?”

Having more or less calmed down, Sandra chuckled. “They definitely are not easy.”

“Oh they sure aren’t,” Lynn agreed with a laugh. “Then after in-laws, you get kids. And that’s another full set of conflicts.”

Lynn turned off the tap and wiped her hands on the cloth hanging off the wall. She scooped up the plastic covers resting on the countertop and secured them over the food containers.

Turning to Sandra, she handed over the containers with a grin. “There you go.”

“Thanks.” Sandra returned the smile with her own as she hugged the containers to her chest. “Mind if I get a bag or something for these?”

“Sure.” Rummaging around one of the cabinets, Lynn pulled out a plastic bag and passed it to her.

With arms folded across her chest, Lynn watched Sandra place the containers in the bag. The corner of her lips curled up in a grin as she teased, “So is there any man in your life?”

Sandra paused, the flicker of guilt in her eyes hidden by the locks of hair that hung over her forehead as she bent down. She gave a nervous chuckle. “No one… permanent, I guess.”

“Ever think of having kids?”

“Not at the moment.” Shrugging, Sandra slung the bag over her shoulder and faced Lynn. “How was having Ray like for you?”

“Oh a completely mixed bag,” the petite woman snickered as she shoved her hands in the pocket of her stained apron.

Lynn leaned against the countertop. Her eyes glistened with nostalgia, a sweet smile adorning her face. “The joy that you get raising a child is…” She searched for a word. “Indescribable.”

“So what’s the mixed part?”

“Ah.” Rolling her eyes, Lynn pressed the heel of her hand to her forehead. “The endless heartache and frustration.”

A hearty laugh bubbled from Sandra’s throat. “That sounds very extreme!” she exclaimed amidst peals of laughter.

“So what’s the frustration about now? A girlfriend you don’t like?” Sandra teased with a wink.

Scoffing, Lynn brushed the question off with a wave of her hand. “He’s too shy to have one. No, it’s actually about his studies.”

A frown crossed Sandra's expression. “I thought he was doing alright in school?”

“It’s not good enough.” One hand perched on her hip, Lynn huffed. “If he’s to choose a good career path, the grades he’s getting in math and science aren’t high. He’s doing fine in humanities but there’s no point in that.”

Sandra lifted her eyebrows. “Since when did you get so hung up about all that? Weren’t you yourself better at humanities than math? And yet you ended up fine.”

“Fine?” The word left Lynn's lips like a curse. She snorted. “Not exactly. It’s because I ended up here that I want something better for Ray.”

Shifting uncomfortably on one foot, Sandra chose not to argue. She didn’t subscribe to the whole “wanting something better for your kid” idea. Her experience with that line - so often uttered by her mother - left a bitter taste in her mouth.

“I wish my parents had pushed me to make something of myself,” Lynn said quietly, her lips drawing into a thin line. Her eyes grew distant but in a second, she snapped out of her reverie. “Anyway, math and science suit him better. He’s a smart kid.”

“I’m sure he’s smart,” Sandra murmured in agreement. She cleared her throat, her eyes flitting from Lynn to the floor and back to Lynn. “But if he’s doing much better in humanities, maybe he's suited for that.”

Lynn’s head jerked up and she stared at Sandra, eyes shining with incredulity. Her tone was sharp, a mixture of hurt and anger pouring out into her words. “What do you mean by that? Ray’s very good in his sciences. He’s just not giving it his all. That’s why we’re sending him for more extra classes.”

Taken aback by her friend’s defensiveness, Sandra hurriedly lifted her palms up in surrender. “I’m sorry. That’s not what I meant. I-I’m sure Ray’s doing well in science.”

“Yeah of course.” Frowning, Lynn maintained a defiant stance. She rolled her tense shoulders and folded her arms across her chest. “I know my child best.”

“Right,” Sandra replied.

An awkward silence descended on the kitchen until it was broken by the tinkling sound of the doorbell. Sandra straightened, glad at the excuse to take her leave. “Well, I should get going.”

Lynn managed a quick smile. “Sure. Let me see you to the door.”

They headed for the front of the house in silence. As Lynn opened the front door, Sandra hung in the hallway to collect her pouch and jacket.

Lynn's voice drifted down the corridor. “Valerie. You must be here for Kyler.”