The Challenge(62)

Juliet and Tom were the first to arrive, and Juliet disappeared to the playroom with Peter, supposedly to see a new video game, but in fact for a quick kiss, which their parents had figured out. Juliet was wearing a dark red velvet dress, which looked right for the season, and medium heels that her mother had allowed. Tom and Pitt were wearing suits and talking when the doorbell rang again. Pattie and Bill walked in. Her stomach had popped just in the last few weeks and she was wearing a navy wool dress which showed her baby bump. Pitt congratulated her and she beamed. Matt and Benjie were sulking visibly and disappeared to the playroom immediately. Then June appeared, with Tim, which was unexpected. He had red eyes and looked like he’d been crying.

Anne figured it out right away and hurried to tell the caterers to set another place at the table. June followed her into the kitchen to tell her what had happened, while Tim went to find the other kids.

“The sonofabitch called this morning, supposedly from Venezuela. He said he just couldn’t get back in time and he was really sorry. ‘Maybe’ he’ll make it for Christmas. I thought this year would really be different, because of the rescue. I hate that man. I hope he never calls Timmie to lie to him again.”

“I’m so sorry,” Anne said. “Poor Tim. Was he horribly upset?”

“He cried all morning. He didn’t want to come because he was embarrassed. He told everyone he was going to Billings with his dad.”

“I’m glad he came. We were sad that he wasn’t going to be with us. What a terrible thing to do to a kid.”

Marlene and the boys arrived after that. She was wearing an emerald green knit dress that showed off her figure. She looked nervous, and kept glancing at Noel and Justin, who avoided looking at Tom but said hello to everyone else. Marlene was praying there wouldn’t be an explosion, but when she looked at Tom, she melted and there was no one else in the room for either of them. Their relationship was the worst kept secret in town. Anne had seated Tom and Marlene together. The boys were at the opposite end of the table. They’d have to get used to it someday, and they could blame Anne if they didn’t like their seats.

Beth was the last guest to arrive. She stood in the doorway with Harvey looming behind her like her own private mountain that she had brought with her. It looked like they had coincidentally arrived at the same time when he walked in behind her and greeted Anne and Pitt. Everyone was happy to see her. She, too, was wearing a red dress. It looked terrific on her with its short, swirling skirt. Harvey was smiling, and he handed Anne a big bouquet of orange and yellow roses.

“From both of us,” he said clearly, so everyone could hear. Tom looked surprised, and so did the Browns, but the others didn’t. Marlene had seen Harvey going into Beth’s house, and Juliet had been teasing her mother about him for weeks. Anne had had a feeling about it. She took the bouquet from him and thanked them both, as the children came upstairs for dinner, all looking clean and neat in blazers and gray slacks, or jackets and jeans. Harvey was wearing a dark blue suit that had been made for him.

Beth smiled at them all for an awkward moment, as Anne took the bouquet to be put in a vase.

“We’re dating,” Beth said. The others stared at them and smiled and she grinned up at Harvey.

“How was that? Was that good?”

“It was clear. Mine was a little more subtle.”

“Should I be subtle?” she asked him. “I thought we were going to tell people.”

“I think we just did. Now we can act normal and pretend like we didn’t say it.” The others were laughing by then, and even Tom was grinning.

“She doesn’t like telling people her business,” Tom explained to Harvey. “We were married for two years before she would introduce me to her friends. You’re way ahead of the game.”

“We’re just dating,” she explained. “We’re not living together.” Harvey was smiling at her and looked like he was going to burst he was so proud to be with her.

They all took their places and Anne said grace. She had seated Juliet next to Peter. Everyone relaxed as the meal appeared. Tim had cheered up as he heaped the delicious food on his plate and signed to his mother: Fuck him. She laughed and knew who he meant.

“We’re having a baby,” Benjie said with a look of disgust as they passed the food around. “And worse news: It’s a girl.” They all laughed but Matt looked mortified and rolled his eyes, looking at Peter.

They laughed and talked all through lunch. Pitt served a very fine wine. Halfway through the meal, he realized something and went to the guest powder room. Justin had left the table for a few minutes. He found him there chugging a bottle of red wine. He had splashed some on his shirt.

“I don’t serve wine to minors, son.” He gently took it from him.

“I’m not your son. I just turned eighteen. You can’t tell me what to do.”

“You’re a minor ’til you’re twenty-one, and in my own house I can tell you what to do. I think your dad would be disappointed right now. Your mom needs your support, Justin. Don’t give her a hard time.”

“My dad is dead and my mom is a whore,” he said viciously. Pitt’s heart ached as he listened. Justin was heading in a bad direction. He was a totally different boy now than the sweet kid he always had been.

“Let’s all enjoy Thanksgiving. We’ll talk about this at another time soon. I’d like to help if I can.”