His Girlfriend for Six Years, Still an Outsider

"Rhys Oxley's grandmother turned eighty, and the whole family gathered on the restaurant patio for a group photo.

The photographer asked three times, ""Anyone else coming? I'm about to take it.""

His aunt Loretta looked down the line. ""Everyone's here. Go ahead.""

I stood outside the frame, holding the six coffees they'd specifically asked for.

The photographer gestured toward me. ""Is that lady joining you?""

Rhys smiled. ""This one's family only. She doesn't count.""

Loretta chimed in. ""She's not part of our family. Just take the picture of us.""