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Tiffany rolled her eyes. “Maybe that'll happen soon.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked.
“You neverdoknow what's going to happen,” Tiffany replied pointedly, looking back and forth between Hallie and me.
I chuckled, glancing down at Hallie as I reached for her hand again. My sister was really blunt. “Be prepared. She means well,” I commented.
“I'm just teasing. We're so excited. I can't wait!” my sister added. “Are you telling people the gender?”
“It's a boy,” Hallie said. We’d had this discussion and agreed to share the news on gender. I’d never realized how fraught these issues could be for some people and was relieved Hallie was pretty easygoing about the details.
Tiffany squealed, and everyone in the restaurant looked our way. The entryway was a small area that opened up to a rectangular space with round tables scattered throughout. The ceiling angled upward to a wide archway that led into the gallery beyond it. Although the café had hardwood flooring, the fabric tapestries hanging on the walls absorbed the sound. The café area was the fabric arts part of the gallery, while the rest of the gallery had a mix of artwork.
The receptionist approached from the restaurant area, calling over, “Mills party.”
My dad walked over first. “We're all here.”
“Come on back,” she said. She led us through the restaurant to a large round table in the corner.
A moment later, we were seated, and she had hurried off after taking our drink orders.
Tiffany wasted no time. “So tell us about yourself,” she said, her eyes on Hallie.
“Damn, Tiff. Pressure much?” I teased.
She shrugged. “Okay, I'll start. I'm Tiffany. I'm Chase's younger sister. We grew up in Willow Brook, and our dad's the best dad ever. I'm currently living in Juneau because I went to college there. I’m trying to decide if I’m moving back up here.”
Hallie smiled. “Well, I grew up in Anchorage. I'm a freelance photographer, and I used to travel for jobs, but I mostly stay local now. I have a studio in Anchorage. Sometimes, I travel if I get a contract for any of the tourist companies scattered around the state. I also do gallery work. My parents still live in Anchorage. My dad's a retired police officer for Anchorage, and my mother was an English professor, although she’s retired now too. My brother's the police chief down in Diamond Creek. That's pretty much it.” She paused, her eyes flicking to me. “As you know, Chase and I are having a baby.”
“I know. We're so excited!” Tiffany squealed.
Hallie grinned. “I am too. It's a surprise, but a good surprise.”
My father smiled indulgently at her. “It's really good to meet you. I know you just met us, but we promise Chase is a good man.”
Hallie nodded. “I’ve noticed. It’s really great to meet you both.”
A server came by and took our orders. Tiffany settled down, moving the conversation along and chatting about this and that. I reached under the table for Hallie’s hand, lacing my fingers through hers. I could sense anxiety emanating from her.
Dinner rolled along smoothly until an old friend of my father’s came walking in with his wife. They’d been friends of my parents until my mom had an affair with him. To my knowledge it was her only affair. Because everything my mother did was flamboyant, she hadn’t done much to hide it and it blown their marriage to pieces. Surprisingly, they got back together a few years later. I never understood why, and they still didn’t seem happy together.
The tension ratcheted up at the table. I had always felt like the keeper of my mom's secrets when I was younger. I hadn't wanted Tiffany to know how messy things were. The wife glanced over, narrowing her eyes. As if any of us had anything to do with it. My dad ignored them even though I knew it hurt that his friend had an affair with his wife. While I sensed he had long ago accepted my mother for who she was before she passed away, I knew it couldn’t feel good to have his friend violate that trust.
Tiffany's smile looked forced. Hallie glanced around. While she didn't know the details, anyone could pick up on the strained feeling.
