That same morning, Bette follows Angie through the double doors of The Planet just as her phone buzzes with a message from James. Angie’s pink sneakers clip-clop across the floor as she skips ahead.

“Hey, Aunt Kit…” Angie calls out, her voice bright.

Kit, flour speckling her apron, slides her hands over a cloth towel and sweeps Angie into a warm hug, then a soft kiss on the cheek. “Good morning, my love. Have you eaten yet?”

Bette drifts over, her hands in her suit pockets. “She’s eaten, no pancakes this morning.”

Angie’s bottom lip pokes out. “Aww….”

Kit chuckles softly, a warm, affectionate sound, and leans down to Angie’s level. “I saved one of my peach croissants for you,” she whispers in a conspiratorial tone. “Go tell Bella at the counter you’re ready for it.”

Angie’s eyes flicker bright as morning light. “Yay!” She darts off .

Bette sighs as she watches Angie run over to the breakfast bar and talk to one of the waitresses. She then looks at Kit and shakes her head. “Ya know… one of these days, when you get these kids all hopped up on sugary things, we’re gonna drop them off to you for the rest of the day…”

Kit laughs. “Hey, sounds good to me…”

Bette smirks, scanning the room. “Where’s Mickey…did she not drop him off yet?”

The laughter fades from Kit’s face. She steps closer, voice low. “They’re here,” she says, nodding toward the sunlit patio. “She refused to just drop him off today…I think she wants to talk to you….”

Bette shakes her head in annoyance as she looks outside. “I don’t have time for this bullshit,” she mutters, then glances at Angie, who is already nibbling flaky pastry. “Bella, is she good right there for a second?”

Bella gives a thumbs-up. “Of course….”

“Thanks,” Bette says, pivoting on her heel and striding for the back exit.

Kit hurries to catch her, tugging at her sister’s sleeve. “Baby girl, this is prime breakfast hour; everybody just wants coffee and quiet before they start their day.”

Bette smirks despite herself. “Yeah, I know the fuckin’ feeling….” She then looks at Kit as they near the back exit. “I’m not gonna make a scene, Kit…”