Angie said, examining a small stack of flame-charred hot dogs. “They might fossilize if we wait for the boys.” Julia laughed at the jab. “How long does it take to gather a few sticks?”Angie pointed to a smattering of branches thirty feet away. “You mean like those?”Julia shook her head in mock disapproval. “I guess they can’t help themselves,” she said, pulling herself away from the fire to join Angie near a large rock turned makeshift picnic table. It was their first real moment alone, finally finished roasting a meal neither cared to eat but that the husbands had included on the trip’s list of required supplies.“How are you?” Julia asked, preempting Angie’s usual initiative in order to focus the conversation on the Tolbert family: Tommy’s grades, Joy’s swim lessons, little Ricky’s teething and, of course, Leah’s therapy. She hoped to keep Angie talking about her world until Troy and Kevin returned.“Oh, no,” Angie insisted, her eyes carrying a rebuke softened by her adorable grin.
