said. “How comfortable.”
My stomach tightened.
My mother smiled pleasantly.
“It’s wonderful to meet you. James has told Elena so much about you.”
She sat.
Placed the napkin across her lap.
Opened the menu.
Then said, cheerfully,
“Oh, lovely. They have scallops.”
That was it.
She acted as though Catherine’s comment had never happened.
Meanwhile, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
Dinner continued.
The remarks were subtle.
Catherine mentioned the wine vintage in a way that assumed everyone knew what she meant.
She talked about their country club and then
