Chapter 3 - THE PARTY CALENDAR
Rebecca claimed she took the paper because Hannah would “use it as an excuse.”
Daniel stared at his mother.
“You hid medical instructions from me?”
“You were traveling.”
“That isn’t an answer.”
Rebecca raised her chin.
“You’re home now. Ask whatever you want.”
Daniel did.
How many dinners?
Hannah said:
“Seven.”
Daniel stopped.
“In how long?”
“Three months.”
Rebecca had been staying with them temporarily while her condo underwent repairs after a plumbing failure.
Daniel traveled often for work.
He knew his mother liked entertaining.
He assumed she invited a friend or two sometimes.
Seven formal dinners?
He had not known.
Hannah opened the family calendar.
Every dinner occurred while Daniel was out of town.
Not one when he was home.
Rebecca said:
“You hate entertaining.”
Daniel answered:
“I hate being used as an excuse.”
Then he noticed the guest lists.
Many of the same names.
Helen Price.
Margaret Sloan.
Robert Hale.
Susan Mercer.
People Daniel had known since childhood.
People who knew Lily.
His estranged sister.
Daniel opened one dinner entry.
Notes:
Hannah — kitchen.
Noah — water / clearing.
Rebecca — host.
He looked at Hannah.
“Who wrote that?”
“Your mother.”
Rebecca said:
“It’s a household plan.”
Daniel scrolled backward.
Another.
Hannah — meal prep.
Noah — napkins.
Rebecca — host.
Another.
Hannah — service.
Noah — shoes / coats.
Daniel looked up.
“Shoes?”
Noah lowered his head.
Rebecca said:
“He lines them by the door.”
“Does he polish them?”
Silence.
Hannah whispered:
“Sometimes.”
Daniel’s stomach turned.
Then he saw something else.
The first dinner was scheduled one day after Hannah received a message from someone named:
L. CARTER.
Daniel stared.
“Who is L. Carter?”
Hannah looked at Rebecca.
Rebecca’s face went white.
May you like
Hannah answered:
“Lily.”
