I have an ugly feeling in my gut.Despite my mother’s reassurances at lunch on Monday, I believe something will go wrong.
Before I can stop her, Madison reaches forward and jabs the doorbell.
Shit.There’s no going back now.
Footsteps sound from inside, then the door swings open and I’m facing my father.His blue eyes rake over me, then Madison.For the longest time, he doesn’t say anything.Then he smiles—somewhat forced—and gives me a bro hug, one-armed, before clapping me on the shoulder.“I’m glad you could make it, son.Madison, glad you can be here, too.”
She shakes his proffered hand.“Thank you for having me.”
There is no reference to the fact she used to be his daughter-in-law.No mention of Kyle.No mention of how she’s dating me.
And maybe that’s for the best.This evening will be much easier if we can all start fresh.
My father invites us in, so we follow him down the hall and into the sitting room.The house smells like turkey and stuffing, the spices and onions filling my nose.I don’t think I’ve ever smelled my parents’ house like this.It’s strange to be having a Thanksgiving dinner at all, much less with my parents who never had much patience for these kinds of occasions.
In the sitting room, the Dannigs are gathered along with my mother, glasses of wine in hand.Everyone stands at once to greet us.
Bob Dannig is taller than most NBA players.His head of red hair bears more white than I remember, but otherwise he seems unchanged from my childhood.He has a booming laugh, which he lets loose now.
“Madison.I remember seeing you at the wedding, although we didn’t have a chance to talk.”He shakes her hand.“It’s good to see you again.”
“You, too.”She shakes his hand, then Renata’s.
Eliza, their daughter, has curly, auburn hair and a wide smile.She gives Madison an awkward hug.“Hey.It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
Madison’s smile is pinched.“Yeah, it has.I hope you’ve been doing good?”
Everything is so strained.I’m usually immune to tense social situations, but I’m feeling everything as Madison might be feeling it, and I don’t like it in the slightest.
“Madison, welcome,” Mom says.“Would you mind helping me with something in the kitchen real quick?We’ll get you some wine, and I’ll return you to Seth soon after.”
“Sure.”Madison gives me a brave smile and trails my mother into the other room.
This better be that apology my mother promised to give her.
“So.”Renata pats her brown hair.It’s a similar style to my mother’s, shoulder-length.Unlike Mom, Renata has some gray streaks that she doesn’t hide with dye.She takes a sip of her white wine.“You and Madison are together, now?”
“Yes.We reconnected recently.”Obviously I won’t say where or when—that isn’t anyone else’s business.If they ask, I’ll make something up about a gym or grocery store.Madison and I should’ve gotten our story straight ahead of time.
And I can see the questions on their faces.
“How have you all been?”I ask Renata.“Are you still living in Dorado Heights?”
“Yes, although Eliza just got a nice place in Salding.”She turns to look at her daughter.“It isn’t far from Seth’s Nove building, is it?”
Eliza nods.“It’s a few blocks away.It’s a really up-and-coming area, close to everything.I’m really loving it.”
“Pretty soon, Salding will give Dorado Heights a run for its money as the most sought-after neighborhood in San Esteban.”Bob laughs, even though he didn’t say anything particularly amusing.
Boredom is better than drama, I remind myself.False laughter is better than glowering tension or screaming matches.
Madison returns to the sitting room.“Hey, everyone.Sonia wanted me to tell you that dinner is ready.”
We meander into the dining room.The table is set beautifully, with a simple, rust-colored tablecloth and Mom and Dad’s wedding china set.Two candles are lit at each end.I make sure to sit next to Madison.Otherwise, I don’t care who I sit next to.
It ends up being Renata on the other side of me.She glances between Madison and me.“You two make an attractive couple.”
“Thanks,” Madison says.“I feel pretty lucky that we ran into each other again.How did you and Bob meet?”
