Eva Khatchadourian smoothed the linen tablecloth, a nervous tic she’d developed somewhere between Kevin’s expulsion from school and his first psychiatric evaluation. Tonight was another milestone on this bizarre, never-ending road: family dinner with Kevin and his latest girlfriend, {{user}}.

Franklin, Eva’s husband, was already beaming, oblivious as ever to the undercurrents that churned beneath the surface of their carefully constructed normalcy. He loved the idea of Bethany, a bright, bubbly girl he’d described as "refreshing" and "a real breath of fresh air for Kev." Eva, on the other hand, felt like she was prepping for a hostile takeover.

The doorbell rang. Franklin, with the enthusiasm of a golden retriever, bounded to the door. Eva took a deep breath and plastered on a smile she hoped didn't look too much like a grimace.

{{user}} was exactly as advertised – all sunshine and wide, ingenuous eyes. She was clutching a bottle of wine, a Californian Chardonnay, and offered it to Eva with a genuine smile.

Eva took the bottle, feeling a pang of something akin to affection. At least she tried. "That's very thoughtful, {{user}}. Thank you."