The next night Mackenzie rented some God awful movie about two teenagers falling in love with cancer. She sobbed her way through it while I snuck peeks at a magazine and stuffed myself with candy and popcorn. Near the end of the movie though she said something that I wasn't expecting. “Do you think people felt sorry for us?”

I looked at her puzzled, “What? We don’t have cancer.”

She sighed, “I know that we don't have cancer, you idiot. I mean pity, like I feel bad for these two kids. Do think people pitied us? Is that why nobody wants to be my friend? Because you and I both know it's uncomfortable.”

I hadn't really thought about it like that. “I don't know, Kenz, I mean I guess so. I feel bad for other people when they tell me the horrible things that happen in their lives, but we made it through just fine. Speaking of our little family unit, have you talked to Mom? I tried texting her this morning but she didn't answer.”

Mackenzie turned to face me, “Actually, I did talk to her today.”

I smiled at her, “And why do you look so smug about it? What do you know?”

She laughed, “I think Mom has a boyfriend.”

I was dumbfounded. I felt my face fall and I could tell that Mackenzie noticed my lack of enthusiasm. “A boyfriend?”

For some reason I had always seen my dad as the remarry type, but down in Florida it was just the three amigas. I didn't think that she would ever meet someone. That had been really selfish of me, I should be excited that she met a guy. But instead something felt off about the situation.

“Hey, why the pouty face? Mom deserves a nice guy.”

A nice guy, that was it. I was afraid that if my mom fell for somebody new she'd only be heartbroken one more time. And I wasn't sure that our little family could sustain another blow like that. For three months after the separation my mother hardly got out of bed, I practically raised Mackenzie during our first six months down in Florida. And then my mom finding a job, trying to make new friends, going out on her own, it was just all too much. I just didn't think we would make it if we had to do it again.

“So what do you know?”

She shrugged, “You know Mom. She likes her secrets. The only reason I know that there was a guy there at all is because I heard his voice in the background, and he definitely called her honey. And I know what you're going to say, it's not Kate’s boyfriend, because she responded.”

“Wow. Some guy’s calling Mom honey and we don't know about it? I don't know, Kenz. I think you're getting your hopes up for nothing.”

She shook her head, “You forget that you’ve been at school. But I pay attention, a lot more than people think I do. And she has been texting and on her iPad a lot more lately than she had been before the holidays. I’m telling you, this guy is Mom’s boyfriend.”

I made a face, “Yuck. I just hadn't really considered Mom dating anyone, but I know what new relationships are like and I'm just saying that we are going to sanitize every inch of that house when we get back.”

She grabbed a pillow and hit me with it, “Ewww! I don't want to think about Mom and some guy in the sac. You are so gross.”

I laughed and tossed a pillow back at her and before we knew what was happening we were both on the floor having a full blown pillow fight and wrestling match. Charity and my dad walked in the front door about three minutes into it and told us that we needed to split up. I think they thought we were actually fighting, because we’re hoodlums like that.

Charity quickly fixed the pillows on her perfect sofa and moved over to the kitchen to make a snack. Celery sticks with peanut butter, because you know, we’re five.

“Really, Charity, we just had a ton of popcorn and candy, we’re fine.”

“Really? Because that's a terrible snack. Have you been drinking water at all today?”

She would never understand the way that Mackenzie and I ate. She was such a health nut, not really our type of food. Junk food was definitely on the food pyramid in our household, whether she liked it or not.

She put away the celery and peanut butter after making one for herself and sat down on the couch next to me. “So, I wanted to talk to you two about our dress fittings.” I saw Mackenzie roll her eyes but I tried to keep my discomfort unnoticeable.

“Oh yeah? And when is that?”

My dad stealthily made his way into his office and shut the door, he hated girl talk.

“It's next Wednesday, and I was thinking the three of us girls could go together. That way I can see you in the dresses. And then, you know, the following week is the rehearsal dinner. Then the next night is the wedding, then you'll be leaving us going back home.” She made a pouty face but I knew it wasn't sincere.

“Wednesday. Perfect, that sounds great just let me know what time and where, I’ll set an alarm on my phone so I don't forget.”

Mackenzie didn't say anything so I included her in our little girl date. “Mackenzie doesn’t Wednesday sound good?”

She nodded and grabbed another handful of popcorn so she wouldn't have to talk. Sneaky.

Charity smiled from ear to ear, “I am just so excited you girls are here to experience this special day with us. Now you do know that we’re having a traditional ceremony right? I wasn't sure if either of you were religious since Lila said that y'all don't go to church.”

Mackenzie smiled and stuffed more popcorn in her mouth.

“We’re not super religious, but if you're having a traditional ceremony, of course we’ll be there.”

Mackenzie shook her head back and forth but because her mouth was filled with popcorn so she couldn't protest. I moved in front of her little bit so that Charity could ignore her.

Charity clapped. “This is just going to be so much fun! And then maybe afterwards we’ll grab a little lunch. There is great little café downtown.”

I nodded, her sugary sweetness was starting to get to me. Time to move on. “That sounds great. I'm going to finish the book that I've been reading. And maybe try to make plans with Noa for later, I’ll talk to you later.”

Mackenzie didn't say a word she just traipsed up the stairs behind me. A date with the step monster, great.

As we arrived on the landing I realized I hadn't asked my sister about Chad yet. “Hey how did your Skype date go?”

She rolled her eyes, “We broke up.”

I laughed, “Again?”

“Yeah, I guess. Maybe we just weren't meant to be. Not all of us can have guys falling all over us.”

This time it was my turn to roll my eyes, “You and I both know that's not true. In Florida, you're one of the hottest girls on the beach. You were just made to be there.”

“Yeah I guess. Maybe everything really does happen for a reason. Going to bed, night.”

I waved to her, “Night.”