While dinner's being prepared, we all go sit out back by the pool, while Betsey, Lucas and Dell swim. Everyone else lazes around in lounge chairs, sipping Maggie's famous lemonade.

"How long's Sheldon gone for?" Mom asks.

"Just the weekend," Violet replies. "He wanted to come here, but he said he couldn't avoid his family for another holiday."

"Understandably," Pete agrees, swigging his bottle of beer.

"Speaking of Sheldon, you know how he knew that guy who's president of the Chadwick school board?" Violet asks.

"Richmond?" Mom asks, referring to the man she's met at school functions before.

"Yep. Sheldon talked to him and put in a good word for us, for Lucas. I think he'll get into their pre-K program."

"That's fantastic," Mom replies.

"I'm so relieved," Violet nods. "Looking for the right one is exhausting. I didn't even know pre-school was this intense."

"Everything's intense at Chadwick," Mom replies drily.

There's movement out of the corner of my eye, and, thinking it's Maggie, I turn to see. But standing at the corner of the house on the walkway is Amelia. Taken aback, I blink, confused.

"Uh," I start, but don't know what to say.

"What is it, sugar?" Mom asks, looking at me.

"Amelia's here," I reply, shocked.

All at once, everyone looks up to see her. She awkwardly stands there, not even twenty feet away.

"Um," she begins, uncomfortably. "Happy Thanksgiving."

Mom walks over and, to Amelia's surprise, wraps her in a hug. After a second Amelia drops the bag she's carrying and hugs her back.

"You look great," Mom says, after pulling away and holding Amelia's shoulders.

She blushes, glancing over at the rest of us, all sitting or standing stupidly.

I go over and hug her. She squeezes me.

"I'm so sorry," she whispers.

I let go and look at her, smiling. "I know."

Her eyes gloss over and then everyone is coming over to see her.

By the time everyone has hugged her, she has tears streaming down her face.

"When did you get here?" Mom asks.

"Just now. I heard you guys came here for Kati, and then that everyone was here for Thanksgiving, and I just..." she swallows, glancing around at everyone. "I'm...I'm so sorry."

Everyone stands around, awkwardly, quietly.

"I...said some really terrible things. I wasn't myself...and I can't believe the things I said, and how badly I've hurt you. You guys are...my family. And I'm so, so sorry. I know that's not enough...I just hope you'll let me...make it up to you."

Addison walks over with damp cheeks and hugs Amelia again.

"I'm so happy you're here," she smiles.

This simple sentence seems to alleviate so much of the weight on Amelia's shoulders. Her relief is palpable. She still looks heartbroken, but you can also see how she feels the slightest bit better.

"We all are," Mom adds, squeezing Amelia's hand.

I glance up and look at everyone. Some still look a bit angry with Amelia, but still, no one is wanting to turn her away.

After a moment, Mom tries to smile through her glassy eyes.

"Well," she sighs. "Why don't we get you settled upstairs."

She puts an arm around Amelia's shoulders and starts to lead her away.

Wordlessly, Addison and I follow.

Mom opens the door to one of the two spare bedrooms still left, and gently pushes against Amelia's back.

After setting her bag on the bed, Amelia turns to us, her eyes swimming.

"Charlotte, I..."

"I know," Mom replies, rubbing her arm.

"I said the most terrible things," Amelia shakes her head, looking down. "I wish I could take it all back...change everything."

"We all wish that sometimes," Addison replies softly. "We're just glad you're here, and healthy."

"Sixty days?" Mom asks, touching a keyring on Amelia's keychain.

"Sixty-four," she replies, holding up the keychain.

"That's amazing," Mom replies. "I'm so proud of you."

This only seems to make Amelia feel worse; having someone she hurt, be so proud of her.

"I'm so sorry," she whispers.

"We know you are," Mom replies gently. "We all mess up. I know exactly where you are right now. Been there myself. You can't give up now. You keep yourself clean, and you focus on moving forward, and everything is goin' to be just fine."

Amelia nods, wiping her eyes.

"We've all done or said something that's made us feel terrible," Addison says, trying to make her feel better.

"Not like this," Amelia shakes her head. "You guys haven't hurt me."

"Focus on today," Mom says. "Think about now. If all you think about is what sucks, you'll never be able to move forward. We all make mistakes."

It's quiet for a moment as Amelia breathes, trying to calm down.

"I drank a bottle of bourbon. Basically by myself," I say, trying to ease the tension.

Mom looks at me wide-eyed as Addison lets out a short laugh and Amelia stares at me.

"What? You said we all make mistakes! That was a mistake," I say to Mom. I can see she's trying to stifle a smile, but with Addison chuckling and then Amelia breaking out in a smile, she fails. The three of them laugh. I don't think Amelia's laughed in months.

She comes over and hugs me, tightly.

"Oh, Kati," she sighs. She holds my shoulder, smiling. "I missed you."

Addison wipes her eyes, wet from crying and then laughing.

"Why don't you take a shower," Mom says to Amelia. "Probably feel good after the plane ride."

Amelia nods, smiling gratefully.

Addison hugs her again before the three of us leave, giving Amelia some privacy.