"We—"

Yvonne wanted to explain, but Caleb interrupted her with a smile. "Anyway, congratulations." With that, he entered the house.

She stood in a daze, unsure if she had correctly perceived the bitterness and disappointment in his tone.

She sighed and turned to Rachel. "El still doesn't know about all this."

Rachel stopped climbing the stairs and looked at Yvonne. "You haven't told him yet?"

"No, this mess was caused by the adults, and it's our responsibility to deal with it. El is only a child; he doesn't need to know any of this."

As a mother, Yvonne felt it was her duty to shield her son from the harsh realities of the adult world.

She headed to the kitchen. "Please make yourself at home. By the way, what would you like to drink?"

"Just plain water will do," Rachel replied.

Rachel came down the stairs, walked over to Caleb, and nudged him with her elbow. "Did you ask Vonnie about the camping trip?"

"Yes," he replied indifferently.

"There's nothing unusual about them go