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Stanton stared at Bones.
Bones stared at Stanton.
“Is espresso satisfactory?” Stanton finally said.
“Make it a double, bring a lot of sugar, and I’ll suck it down. Please.”
“Please? We’re on our way to making you a gentleman.”
“Don’t hold your breath,” Bones remarked.
I swore I saw Stanton’s stoic mouth flicker with a smile.
As Stanton headed off to the kitchen, Bones and I went to the sitting room. Mom was standing with her back to the door, staring at a massive oil painting of my father. When Arnold and my mother had gotten married, it had suddenly disappeared. No doubt Arnold hadn’t liked my father staring down at him. But now it was in its rightful place over the mantle.
“Mom,” I voiced.
“You’re here.” She turned slowly, her brows rising as she looked at Bones. “And so are you.”
“You didn’t think he’d come?” I asked.
Mom shook her head. “No, it wasn’t that. It was—sorry, Royce. I forgot for a moment that I had a son-in-law.”
“Normally, I’d be offended that I was so forgettable, but under the circumstances, I understand. How are you holding up, Marilyn?”
“Better now that you’re both here.” She waved us to the couch and then she took the high-backed chair on the other side of the fireplace. “I was on my way out to have a breakfast meeting with my divorce attorney when the police showed up on my doorstep to tell me about your stepfather. I admit I didn’t hear much after they said they’d found a suicide note. It’s going to be horrible when the reporters start calling.”
“Do you have a statement prepared?” I asked.
Mom sighed. “There’s what I want to say versus what I’ll have to say. I’ll remain vague and say I wish for privacy to be respected and for their understanding during this difficult time.”
“Funeral?” I asked.
“Quiet and small,” she said. “They’ll understand that.”
Stanton entered the sitting room carrying a heavy silver tea tray. He set it down and immediately began serving, starting with my mother.
“Dina and Patrick will be there, of course. Charlie. The two of you. And me.”
“Have you told Dina and Patrick the truth?” I asked.
“Yes. I called them after I called you,” Mom said. “They wanted to come over, but I asked them to wait until this afternoon. I wanted time with you. Alone.”
Stanton quietly retreated from the room.
Her cheeks suddenly flushed with anger. “Your stepfather disgraced himself in front of the board. And then for him to disappear for days without a phone call, only for him to take his own life in a seedy motel. It’s a scandal and I should cancel the party. A party on the heels of Arnold’s betrayal and death? It would send the wrong message.”
“You’re right,” I said. “It’s bad form.”
“Hmm.” Mom’s gaze slid to Bones. “What do you think I should do, Royce?”
“Honestly?”
“Honestly.”
“It’s a shit situation any way you look at it, so I think you should say fuck it and show your face. I think you should tell the reporters that you’re thrilled your daughter has taken her rightful place in the company and that you want to celebrate her marriage. And when they ask about Arnold, you tell them the truth; it’s a tragedy. But no one knows that he went after Hayden, so you put on a brave face and let them know the Spencer family will survive, and the way to do that is to move forward.”
My mother’s expression softened. “You really are a wonderful son-in-law.”
