"I'd feel too guilty to do that," I say, tilting my head as I imagine mom standing there beside me, looking disappointed at even the mere thought of me skipping out on dishes.

And...I don't know, I like the idea of staying around to help clean up and do dishes. Thomas and Bitty will probably hang back to help, if I know them at all, and dishes after dinner always feels like family to me.

I'll take whatever family I can get right now.

"You should stay," I tell Neil as I look over at him. "Maybe if I'm not too tired, we can watch a movie afterwards."