Erik and I sing along to “We Are the Champions” from the Mighty Ducks soundtrack at the top of our lungs as he pulls his truck into my parents’ driveway.

He shifts into park and turns to me. “Last family brunch for a while,” he says, reaching over to squeeze my knee. “You ready?”

There have been a lot of “lasts” over the past few weeks: Last day at the office. Last lunch with my girlfriends. Moving is stressful, whether you’re going across town, across country, or across an ocean. Between applying for the documents I’d need in order to work in the Czech Republic, having to whittle my wardrobe down to almost nothing, and pulling multiple overnighters to get everything else done to prepare to leave the country, the exhaustion has hit me hard. But I have zero complaints because it’s the excitement of starting a new life with Erik that keeps me going.

“Yes,” I answer honestly. “Though, I am gonna miss Mama’s cooking. There are some recipes I just can’t recreate.”

“Wanna know a secret?” Erik lowers his voice to a conspiratorial tone, though it’s just us in the truck. “I like your cooking better.” He winks and leans over to kiss me.

I peck his lips. “You’re just saying that because I’m all you’ll have for the next few years.” I unbuckle my seatbelt and grab my pocketbook from the floor.

“I’m not!” Erik climbs out. He walks around the front of the truck and grabs my hand when he gets to me. “You have the Southern staples down pat, but you can also cook other cuisines. You make the best lasagna I’ve ever had in my life.”

“You’re the sweetest man.” I lean over and kiss his cheek as we head toward my parents’ front door.

“Hello!” I call as I open the door. “The guests of honor have arrived! Drinks, please!”

“Cookie’s gonna love that,” Erik mumbles.

I wink at him. “She’ll get over it.”

Mama appears from the kitchen with two full glasses of punch in her hand. “I almost thought it was your younger sister with a greeting like that.”

She looks immaculate as ever as she hands us our drinks. Her hair is perfectly curled, with the sides pinned up perfectly. A black-and-white flowered, A-line dress fits her figure, cinching her waist and hitting just below her knee. I’m going to miss this. Brunch with my family. Mama taking care of me. Learning from her.

My heart sinks for a moment, but I don’t let it show. I made a decision for my future—the future I want with Erik. I’m not upset with my choice, but leaving my family will be difficult. I straighten my shoulders.

“Thanks, Mama.” I lean in and kiss each of her cheeks. Erik does the same.

“You look beautiful, Mrs. Commons,” he says.

She flashes him a smile. “Thank you, dear.”

The difference between how Mama treats Erik since she decided to be Ginny’s new champion is night and day. Maybe it’s her way of apologizing to him for being rude during the last few months. Maybe it’s because the caretaker in her loves having someone to look after. All of us girls are out of the house, and I’m leaving the country, so, maybe it’s her way of coping.

“Where’s Emily?” Liz asks. “I thought she’d be here to see you off.”

I shrug. “She said she would be.”

My little sister and I don’t talk very often, but we bonded a bit when things went haywire with Daddy before the holiday party, and I wasn’t about to leave the country for who-knows-how-long without inviting her to my going-away brunch.

Over the last week, my phone has been ringing off the hook with people wanting to wish Erik and me well on our new adventure. When it goes off this time, I glance at it quickly, ready to dismiss the call. But it’s Emily’s name and picture on the screen.

“Speak of the devil,” I answer as I walk into the hallway. “Your ears must’ve been burning because—”

“Maddie, can you please put Liz on the phone?”

“If you wanted to speak with Liz, why did you call me?”

“Because her phone is going straight to voicemail,” Emily explains with an irritated clip to her tone.

“Well, that’s a nice how-do-you-do,” I mumble. There’s a reason Emily and I don’t speak much anymore.

“Madeline! Can you please put Liz on the phone?” The irritation changes to desperation.

I roll my eyes. Of course. Insult me, then ask for help. It’s such an Emily thing to do. “Liz and Austin are in the other room, sitting close as cat’s breath. I doubt they want to be interrupted. Anything I can help with, or do you want me to get her?”

There’s silence on the other end. Then, in a meek voice, I hear, “Can you come get me?”

“From where?” I ask, holding back my annoyed sigh.

“Jail.”