Chapter 5 - THE SUNDAY BRUNCH INVITATION
Daniel called again on Friday.
This time, his voice was unusually cheerful.
“Ashley thinks it would be good for everyone to meet somewhere neutral. Just brunch. No pressure.”
“Who will be there?”
“Us, the kids, and Ashley's parents.”
George and Patricia Whitmore had always been polite to me. They were proud of their daughter, sometimes excessively so, but I had never considered them enemies.
“Why do your in-laws need to attend a discussion about my home?”
“They might have some useful ideas.”
I nearly declined.
Then I remembered the photograph beneath my door and the note about my grandchildren's future.
I wanted to know how far this plan had gone.
“Fine,” I said. “Tell me where and when.”
On Sunday morning, I dressed carefully in a navy-blue jacket and pearl earrings Robert had given me for our thirtieth anniversary.
I wasn't dressing to impress anyone.
I was reminding myself that I remained the same woman who had paid off a mortgage, managed a household, raised a son, and survived losing the person she loved most.
At the restaurant, Ashley greeted me with a kiss on the cheek.
Her smile was flawless.
“I'm glad you came, Margaret.”
George stood to shake my hand. Patricia gave me an affectionate hug.
Daniel looked relieved.
Lucy, my ten-year-old granddaughter, waved from beside her younger brother, Ben.
For a few minutes, everything felt normal.
Then George placed a thick envelope on the table.
“Margaret,” he began, “we have an opportunity that could benefit everyone.”
I looked at the envelope.
Ashley reached inside her handbag and removed the photograph of the dream house.
Daniel stared at his coffee.
I understood then that this wasn't a reconciliation brunch.
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It was a meeting with an agenda.
And I was the only person who hadn't been given a copy.
