Mom was baking because she wanted to, not because anyone expected dessert. The kitchen smelled like vanilla and brown sugar. Ben was sneaking cookie dough when her phone rang.

Mom glanced at the screen. “Lydia.” She answered and put it on speaker.

“Kayla,” Lydia said, her voice shaking, “you need to come here. RIGHT NOW.”

We all froze.

“What happened?” Mom asked.

There was a pause.

Then my aunt said something that made Mom go completely still.

“Remember what your ex said about your ‘expiration date’? You need to see what he looks like now.”

Mom said quietly, “We’re coming.”