Evan handed me a glass of white wine that was crisp, cold and delicious.
Naturally, I asked if there was anything I could do, but I was immediately rebuffed with the promise that Jackie would let me help clean up. Rebecca was attempting to move in sync with her mother. Evan was heading toward the library. It made sense to get out of the way, so I followed him.
E.G. was sprawled on one of the couches, in the smaller, more intimate space, his legs stretched out, his feet only in a pair of socks.
“Hey,” I said.
“Hey,” he returned, without turning his attention from the television that took up nearly half the wall.
“Where the heck is the painting?”
“Behind the television,” E.G. said.
Men and their priorities.
Feeling a little out of place, I took a seat in one of the chairs in the corner. It was hard and stiff. Which sort of matched my mood right now, so that was okay.
“Okay,” Rebecca announced, coming in from the kitchen. “Everyone stop eating snacks. Now. Dinner will be served in half an hour.”
I stood up again. “I can help with that.”
“Nope,” Rebecca said. “We’ve got it covered. We’re just going to eat around the island. No sense in setting that massive dining room table just for five us.”
“An architect designed that table,” E.G. said, again still looking at the television.
“Well, you should have more friends then, if you want to use it properly,” Rebecca shot at him.
“I can help with plates and stuff,” I offered.
“Covered,” Rebecca told me.
“I can refresh everyone’s drinks or something,” I suggested.
“Flowers, sit down and stop acting like a pathetic waif,” E.G. said, again without looking at me. “You heard Rebecca, everything is handled.”
Grasping the glass of wine in my hand, I slowly sank back down on the stiff chair. I knew Rebecca was looking at me. I think Evan was glaring at E.G., but I couldn’t lift my eyes to confirm that.
Because suddenly, they were a little wet.
I shouldn’t have come. He obviously didn’t want me here.
Stupid. So stupid.
Sitting here, letting him get to me. E.G. didn’t make me cry. That was mything. I was the girl – no, the woman – he couldn’t make cry.
It was just the day catching up to me. Being back at the shelter. Being here with family, even if it wasn’t mine. So what if I was a little emotional? That was understandable. I took a sip of wine. There was a small round table next to my chair and I turned to set my glass down on it.
“You need a coaster for that,” E.G. barked at me.
“Oh. Right. Everything is so fancy. Of course.” I looked around and realized there was a drawer set into the table. Pulling on it, I found a stack of coasters. I set one down, and then,carefully, maybe too carefully, placed my wine glass down on top of it. How long until dinner? Twenty minutes?
“I’m just going to use the bathroom for a second.”
I knew where it was. Down the hall, just off the foyer. I thought I heard Evan saying something like E.G. needed to get his head out of his ass, but I couldn’t be sure. I closed the door behind me, leaned back against it and closed my eyes.
Willing the tears to dry up.
“Okay, think Anna,” I muttered. “Think.”
