Another answer that came too quickly.
It would have been easier if Annie had dismissed my anger. If she had sent Rachel to explain the situation in clean corporate language.
Instead, she had listened.
Badly at first.
Then better.
“She left because photographers were coming,” I said. “If she stayed, they would have camped outside the shop.”
“Did you ask her to leave?” Dad said.
“No.”
“Did she ask what you wanted?”
“Eventually.”
Mom heard the word.
“She has work to do.”
“Yes.”
“And you?”
“I flew here.”
“That answers a transportation question.”
Dad pointed his fork at Mom.
“Let her finish dinner.”
“She can eat while avoiding introspection. She is talented.”
“I inherited that.”
“From your father.”
Dad frowned.
“I am highly reflective.”
“You made a spreadsheet when we discussed replacing the sofa.”
“It was an expensive sofa.”
The conversation moved to safer subjects.
The neighbor’s disputed fence.
Aunt Linda’s pottery hobby and her collection of bowls that leaned consistently to the left.
Hank’s coffee.
Captain Pancake’s lack of moral discipline.
