In this scene, Garret is 15 and having dinner with Lilly, who is 2. From Garret’s POV.
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GARRET
Why did the plane crash have to happen? Everything was so perfect, and then it all ended and it’s never been the same.

“Garrah!” Lilly’s holding a piece of carrot up to my face. I pretend to bite her fingers as I take it from her. She laughs and falls back on my chest.

“Come on, Lilly.” I point to her plate. “You need to eat your dinner.”

She sits up again and picks at her chicken. But I’ve lost all interest in mine.

“Remember that day?” I ask Charles. “When I asked her to stay?”

That day is still so fresh in my mind. Like it happened just yesterday. My mom, Dad, and I had gone out for pancakes in the morning, then went to my basketball game in the afternoon. Charles was at our house that day, making cookies for a bake sale.

He sets his dish rag down, his face serious. “Yes. I remember. But I’d already left when you asked her.”

“But before you left, my mom seemed happy, right? I mean, she wanted to go?”

“Garret.” He comes back to the table. “You shouldn’t relive this. You can’t go back and change it.”

“I know. But just tell me.”

“Yes. She wanted to go. She was excited about it. She and your dad hadn’t been on a trip together, just the two of them, for a long time.”

“Dad won’t tell me anything about that weekend. I’ve asked him, but he won’t tell me.”

“It’s hard for him to talk about.”

“It’s been five years. By now, he should be able to tell me.” I set my fork on my plate. “I don’t even have a photo of her.”

Charles sighs. “Your father never should’ve thrown those out.”

“I went online and printed out the ones I could find of her. There weren’t that many, but at least it’s something. Don’t tell my dad.”

“I won’t.” He pauses. “Garret, maybe you should see someone again.”

“I’m not going to counseling again. I’ve talked about it enough. Like you said, I can’t change the past.”

Katherine storms into the kitchen. “Charles, the potatoes were completely overcooked!”

He rolls his eyes as he stands up, but he’s facing me so only I could see his eye roll. I laugh.

“What’s so funny?” Katherine asks.

“You. Complaining about the potatoes, when millions of people are starving right now.”

“What is she doing?” Katherine points to Lilly, who’s stuffing a piece of chicken in her mouth.

“Eating her dinner,” I answer, knowing that’s not what she’s asking. But I like pissing Katherine off. I used to try to get along with her, but it was completely pointless. No matter what I say, she finds a way to turn it into a fight.

“What is she doing on your LAP instead of in her CHAIR?” she asks, her voice raised.

“She didn’t like the chair,” I say casually, as I take a bite of potatoes. “They’re not overcooked,” I say to Charles. He gives me a smile, but Katherine can’t see it because he’s facing the sink.

“She needs to be in her high chair, Garret. It is unacceptable for…”

She keeps talking but I just ignore her. I check the clock. It’s almost eight. Lilly has eaten most of her dinner, so I push my chair back and get up and take Lilly over to Katherine.

“She’s all yours.” I hold her in front of me.

Katherine steps back, motioning to her white dress. “I can’t take her. Her hands are a mess.”

“You’re saying you won’t hold your own daughter?”

Charles comes over and takes her. “I’ll clean her up.” He takes Lilly to the sink and starts wiping her hands.

I turn to leave and hear Katherine yelling at me, “Where are you going? You have to watch her!”

“I’m going out. Dad said it was okay.”

“But we have two more courses to be served!” she yells as I walk away. She cares more about her dinner party than her daughter. Worst. Mother. Ever!