Shannon refused to get off my back until Carmen called her name from the kitchen.
"Shannon. Let Ryan breathe."
"I am not heavy," Shannon argued, though she slid off anyway.
"You are not," I said.
She looked at me with a pleased smile.
Marlon snorted from behind us. "Do not encourage her."
"She is the birthday girl," Molly said. "She is allowed to be annoying today."
"I am not annoying!" Shannon protested.
Molly only laughed and reached into the gift bag she had brought. "Then maybe I should take this back."
Shannon's eyes widened.
"No! I mean… I am sorry."
"Too late."
"Molly!"
The living room filled with laughter, even Marlon letting out a low amused sound while Shannon tried to take the bag from Molly's hands. For a few seconds, the house felt full in a way I had not seen it before. Not crowded exactly. Just alive.
Carmen came in from the kitchen, wiping flour from her fingers on a cloth.
"Do not give her the gifts yet," she said. "Wait until after dinner."
