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“You’re right.” I swallow my pride. “Iambeing as much of a brat as the brat, just more mature in my delivery.”
She coughs a laugh and mutters, “Quieter, maybe, but no more mature.”
“Virginia, I don’t want to fight. I’m sorry. I am. This is hard for me.”
“Welcome to life as a mere mortal where we have to wait in line, and sometimes people make noise we don’t like, and things don’t always go our way.”
“That’s not what I mean—even though you’re right about that, too. You know I don’t go out. I find being in public …” I pause, trying to find a word that doesn’t make me sound as anxious and vulnerable as I feel. “I find it stressful. I’m on edge. And that doesn’t excuse my reaction to a crying kid, but … please understand?”
“Mr. Power.” A hand touches my shoulder. “Sir, the cars are warmed up. We need to leave.”
Virginia’s face softens. “Well, having six hellhounds at our table with us doesn’t evoke a spa-like relaxation for me either.”
“Come with me?”
“I was really looking forward to the sashimi. And edamame. And gyoza. And a miso soup. And—”
“We’ll get it all for takeout.” I stand and make eye contact with our waitress. She comes over while Virginia is pulling on her jacket. “One of everything on the menu.” I tilt my head toward my wolf in hiker’s clothing. “This guy will pay.”
“Yes, sir,” he replies.
I stand tall as we leave, aware that everyone is looking at me. Outside, the partner of the security guy still in the restaurant nods me toward my car.
I stop. “What’s the limit on your expense card?” I ask.
“Five thousand a day, sir.”
“After I leave, talk to the manager. Pick up the tabs for everyone who had to experience that shit show.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Wait. Everyone except the table with the screaming brat. Those people need a lesson in appropriate behavior for a kid in a restaurant.”
“Quite right, sir.”
28. Virginia
THE POWER GOES OUT
Will is quiet for the first ten minutes of the drive back to Lily Valley. I’m quiet, too, processing what just happened. I can’t decide if I’m more angry about his outburst or sad that Will has no idea how to function as a normal person outside of his ivory tower. One thing I have decided is that I’ll forgive him once the food is delivered.
Thinking of the food, I realize how outrageous it is to have ordered one of everything. So much of that food will go to waste. I check the time. Just after seven … the order will probably take forty minutes to prepare, another twenty to get to Lily Valley. Dinner at eight on a Saturday night isn’t too crazy.
“Hey,” I break the silence. “Want to play a round of pool? Or darts?”
“I didn’t see a pool table in the house.” He doesn’t take his eyes off the road.
“There’s one at the firehall. I know the chief. She’s really cool. So is her husband. He’s like you—well, not a bazillionaire, but he’s from a moneyed family and has three brothers. I think you’d like them. We can have the sushi delivered there and let some of the volunteers eat so it doesn’t go to waste. What do you think? Kind of nice to end on a better note than we’re at right now?”
He grunts but doesn’t answer.
More silence until Will taps his finger on his steering wheel. The computer screen on the dash changes.
“Call CSO,” he says.
“Mr. Power?”
“Turn in at the firehall in Lily Valley. Tell the team at the restaurant to take the food there.”
