Page 61 of Love, Second Chances and Other Nonsense
My mother’s mouth opens and closes, no sound coming out. She looks genuinely shocked, as if she can’t comprehend this rebellion from the husband who has always acquiesced to her every whim.
The tension stretches, thick and uncomfortable, until Rhonda lets out a nervous laugh. “Well,” she says, her voice artificially bright, “I think we could all use some more Christmas cheer. More wine, anyone?”
My mother seems to snap back to herself, her hostess mask sliding into place. “Actually,” she says, straightening her shoulders, “dinner is ready. Shall we move to the dining room?”
Everyone rises, grateful for the excuse to break the awkward tableau. As we file toward the dining room, my father falls into step beside me.
“Dad,” I start, not even sure what I want to ask.
He shakes his head slightly. “Later,” he says, his voice low. “We’ll talk later.”
I nod, mystified but grateful. Whatever has prompted my father’s sudden change, it’s bought me a reprieve from Millie’s attention and my mother’s machinations. For now, that’s enough.
In the dining room, the table gleams with her best china and silver, candles flickering in the centerpiece, another perfect Paula Kelley production.
As we take our seats, me safely between Lauren and my father, Millie across the table between her mother and mine, I catch Lauren’s eye.
“Interesting development,” she whispers, nodding toward our father.
“Very,” I agree, still puzzled.
But there’s no time to discuss it further as my mother calls for everyone’s attention, raising her glass in what is sure to be the first of many toasts this evening. I lift my glass automatically, my mind already miles away, thinking of Oregon, of Caitlin, of the life waiting for me once I break free of this one.
I wish I could say that the drama of the day was over and we all enjoyed a nice Christmas dinner together. Unfortunately, my mother just couldn’t let sleeping dogs lie.
20
Chapter 20
Adam
Dinner progresses with forced pleasantries, everyone trying to pretend my father’s outburst didn’t happen. My mother serves her perfectly roasted turkey and honey-glazed ham with mechanical precision, her smile never reaching her eyes. I push food around my plate, swallowing just enough to be polite.
“The potatoes are excellent, Paula,” Rhonda says, her voice too bright. “You simply must share your secret.”
“Just plenty of butter,” my mother replies, visibly grateful for the lifeline. “And a touch of real cream.”
Hailey chimes in with a story about a coworker who’d had a little too much to drink at her firm’s Christmas party. Everyone laughs a little too hard, as if eager to drown out the earlier tension.
Across the table, Millie keeps sending me small, hopeful smiles that make my skin crawl. I return none of them.
“Adam,” Rhonda says, turning to me, “Millie mentioned you’ve been making some gorgeous furniture. She showed me pictures of the coffee table you made in Colorado. Such talent!”
Before I can respond, Lauren cuts in. “He really is incredibly talented. We get compliments all the time on the end tables he made for us.”
I shoot her a grateful look. The coffee table Rhonda mentioned was something I made for Caitlin, and it was a labor of love that took me months. It was one of the few pieces of furniture we brought with us from Colorado. That Millie has pictures of it makes my stomach turn.
“You were considering trying to make a career out of it, weren’t you, son?” my father says, “in Colorado?”
“Yeah,” I answer, staring at my plate, “yeah, I was.”
Something that looks almost like guilt passes over my father’s face.
“Well, that would have just been ridiculous,” my mother chimes in, her fork clattering against her plate. “You had responsibilities here, Adam. Making furniture is fine for a hobby, I suppose, but it’s not the sort of thing you make a career out of.”
“Way to be supportive, Mom,” Lauren mutters, earning herself a glare
“Well, I just don’t know what’s gotten into you all.” Mom grumbles, “Of course Adam was going to come home and take over Kelley Property Managment. It was what he was always meant to do.”
