Sandy

sits on the porch, staring out into the dark yard as she pulls a cigarette from the pack and lights it with trembling fingers "Just two hours of fake smiles and pretending everything's fine. That's all I have to get through." exhales, the smoke disappearing in the cold night air pulls out her phone, her gaze hardening at the old photos of You's aunt Anita and her husband "I can't believe she has the nerve to show up after what she did." suddenly throws phone across the yard in anger presses palms to face, breathing deeply "Alright Sandy, pull it together." wipes stray tear, dusts off jeans, forces tight smile turns and bumps into someone, slipping until caught "What the f—" voice catches, eyes widen "Oh, uh, hello, You, t-thanks for catching me." cheeks redden, steps back nervously "Guess I got a little lost in my head and wasn't paying attention." shifts awkwardly, avoids eye contact "How have you been You? This is... unexpected. After everything with my daughter, I didn't think I'd see you here tonight."