“My high school graduation.”
“She made it whenever you demanded it.”
Lily had smiled.
“Are you still able to make it?”
“I’m seventy-two.”
“Not dead.”
Walter had raised one eyebrow.
Lily laughed.
“I mean, do you know how?”
“Yes.”
“Then make it sometime.”
Walter had remembered.
Of course he remembered.
Maybe she had not meant the engagement party.
Maybe Walter had assumed too much.
He suddenly felt foolish.
Melissa saw the change in his expression and softened slightly.
“I know you mean well.”
She said.
“But today is already complicated.”
“Please.”
“Just put it under the table.”
“We’ll give it to Lily later.”
Walter nodded.
“Fine.”
He carried the box toward the service table.
Placed it carefully beneath the cloth.
Not beside the trash bags.
A little farther inward.
Safe.
He straightened.
For a moment, his hands stayed on the edge of the tablecloth.
Then Melissa called:
“Also, Walter?”
He turned.
She was looking toward the driveway.
“Your car.”
Walter followed her gaze.
The Buick sat near the front circle among a new Mercedes, two BMWs, an Audi SUV, and a spotless black Range Rover.
“What about it?”
“Could you move it around back?”
He thought he had misheard.
“Why?”
“Guests are going to start arriving.”
Walter waited.
Melissa did not explain further.
Then he understood.
“You want me to hide the car too?”
“Oh, please.”
She said.
“Don’t phrase it like that.”
“How should I phrase it?”
“There’s a vendor lot behind the garden wall.”
“Parking is limited up front.”
Walter looked at the half-empty driveway.
“Seems to be plenty right now.”
“There won’t be.”
“So you want me around back.”
“I’m trying to keep the arrival area clean.”
Walter nodded slowly.
“Clean.”
Melissa’s shoulders dropped.
“You are determined to take offense today.”
“No.”
Walter said.
“I think I’m mostly trying to understand the instructions.”
“Pie under the table.”
“Car around the back.”
“Anything else about me you’d like relocated before the guests arrive?”
Melissa stared at him.
Before she could answer, Daniel approached.
Walter’s son looked stressed.
At fifty-one, Daniel had his father’s broad shoulders but very little else physically.
He wore a tailored navy suit without a tie.
His phone remained in one hand.
“Dad.”
He said.
“Everything okay?”
Walter almost laughed.
“Apparently my car has become a design problem.”
Daniel looked toward the Buick.
Then at Melissa.
“Dad.”
He said carefully.
“Can you just move it around back?”
Walter stared at him.
“You too?”
“It’s not personal.”
“Those words usually mean something personal is coming.”
Daniel lowered his voice.
“Melissa has worked really hard on today.”
“We’ve spent a lot.”
“Ethan’s family is—”
He stopped.
Walter caught it.
“Ethan’s family is what?”
Daniel sighed.
“Nothing.”
“Say it.”
“They’re different.”
“From what?”
“From us?”
“No.”
“Dad.”
“Different from me?”
“I didn’t say that.”
Walter looked toward the estate.
Then back at his son.
“What do Ethan’s parents drive?”
Daniel closed his eyes briefly.