My fingers wring themselves around each other, stretching and pulling on one another. Enough time has passed, they should be here soon. Just when I’ve nervously bitten the inside of my cheek raw, the doorbell rings. This is it. I scurry out into the main part of the house and past the crowd as they migrate from the kitchen to see who’s come. I purposely avoid their eyes. Swinging the door wide, Jess and Chris stand before me. It’s Sunday, and he’s in casual clothes. He must be off duty. Thank God for small miracles. Jess rushes in to embrace me. I have offered no explanation yet, and she must be thinking the worst has happened, I’m sure. “You alright, Julia?” I nod, absently. “I just need to go. Please.” Jess wraps her hand around my shoulders, and eyes Chris, who has now straightened himself tall before the group of bikers flanking me. A loud voice clears itself.
