ASHER

“Asher, are you coming?” my mother calls from downstairs.

Today is probably the first time I've actually enjoyed going to the Reeds'. I'm excited to see Emmy, which even manages to override my reluctance to deal with Gianna again.

So, for once, instead of dawdling around like I usually do to minimize the time I have to spend there, I go straight downstairs.

Surprised, my father asks, “Are you finished?”

"You called me."

He adjusts his glasses on his nose as he calls out to my mother, "You won't believe this, but our son is finished."

"Very funny," I say to him dryly, making a face.

My mother comes...