Recap of Chapter 7: Miriam was preparing for the first big family dinner since her return from the river cruise. But when her family began to file in, Frank Jr. and his family were suspiciously absent. She cornered her daughters to tell her what was going on. Troy was enjoying attending the first family dinner since he and Callie divorced. Still hiding out at her sister’s house, Charlotte felt pressured to go home to face the music. Little did she know that Frank, having figured out where she had gone, was hopping on a plane to convince her to come home.
Charlotte checked her messages while she waited for her suitcase to emerge on the luggage carousel. Desperate texts from her daughter stacked up: whether she should attend the family dinner; demanding to know when she’d be home; if she was coming home; news about how her dad was freaking out. Charlotte sighed. And so it begins. Mothers can never check out completely, even for a few hours while on a plane heading home. And, thinking of home, what kind of storm was she heading into with Frank? She had no idea that she would be coming home to an empty house. Whatever scene she was dreading would not be happening tonight.
Troy ignored the curious looks from his ex-wife’s family at the monthly dinner, concentrating instead on enjoying the time with Callie and the boys. After the initial shock, everyone relaxed and began treating him like a member of the family again. Hanging out with his ex-brothers-in-law was like a homecoming. At first, Miriam squinted at him unnervingly, to which he responded by winking. It didn’t take much to get back into her good graces again. He knew he had her when she patted his arm as she passed by him in the kitchen. Like old times. Troy couldn’t help but get caught up in the whole atmosphere. He spotted Callie across the lawn. She was wearing a turquoise halter dress that showed off her legs and hugged her frame in all the right spots. He smiled appreciatively. When she turned and flashed that beautiful smile his way, his heart jumped. What would it take to win her back permanently?
“It was often at these family gatherings that her mind drifted to her late husband and how much he was missing.”
Miriam watched her family from her perch on the bench under the big cherry tree. The littlest grands had started a game of hide and seek and were scrambling in pursuit of hiding places. She helped the youngest seeker by pointing toward the hiding place behind the shed, followed by a gesture to keep it a secret. The older grands were busy playing horseshoes; their cheers and disappointed groans rising and falling with each turn. Her children and their spouses all seem to be happy and healthy. “Oh Frank,” Miriam said out loud, “look at the family we built.” It was often at these family gatherings that her mind drifted to her late husband and how much he was missing. Her eyes scanned the yard. “Speaking of the family, I’m afraid our Frankie is in trouble…. ” She recalled the conversation with her daughters earlier when she learned about Charlotte being missing in action, and Frank, Jr. reaching out in the attempt to find her. No one seemed to know the full story, but it couldn’t be good. And no one from that branch of the family had shown for dinner or sent their regrets. “I hope everything is okay,” she sighed. Before she could dwell on it, Marianne emerged from the back door announcing that dessert was served. She led a parade of desserts headed to the picnic table, balancing peach cobbler and ice cream, while Josie followed with pie and cupcakes, and two of the older granddaughters came after with plates, napkins and silverware.
Troy went to Miriam and held out his arm gallantly. “May I escort you to the table, Madam?” he asked, bending at the waist.
Miriam gave him the assessing squint identical to the one she aimed at him earlier. “What are you up to, young man?” she challenged, taking his arm. “First you show up here with Callie and the boys, even though we haven’t seen hide nor hair of you since the break-up, and now you’re offering an old lady your arm.”
“And this is suspicious, is it?” he responded.
“Very.” They continued strolling slowly toward the horde swarming the dessert table. “I think you’re buttering me up for something. I just haven’t figured out what… yet.”
Troy leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. “Then I guess I’ll just have to stick around until you do.” She shook her finger at him, and then they were interrupted by several of the grandchildren who wanted her to sit next to them.
It had been a couple hours since Frank, Jr. knocked on Sharon’s door and sheepishly asked to see Charlotte. Sharon crossed her arms and leaned against the door jam, as if considering whether to turn him away. She pointedly checked her watch, made a face, and then reluctantly stepped aside to allow him to come inside.
He did not get the feeling that she was going to let him off easy. “I guess you know why I’m here,” he said, looking past her to see if he could spot Charlotte.
“If I had to guess,” Sharon began, “I would say that you’re here to try to convince Charlotte to hear you out.” She turned and walked out of the foyer toward the living room leaving him to cautiously follow. Sharon opened the liquor cabinet, removed two crystal tumblers and poured Scotch in each. Holding a glass out to him, she continued, “And if I had to expand on that thought, I’d say that I am looking at a man who’s about to be very disappointed.” He gave her a questioning look. Sharon paused. “Okay, I guess it’s best to just rip off the Band-Aid.” She took a deep breath before blurting it out. “Charlotte left this afternoon. She’s headed home. In fact, I’m guessing she’s due to arrive to an empty house right… about… ” she glanced at her watch again, “ …now.”
Frank covered his face with his hands. “Oh my God! You’ve got to be kidding!”
Sharon shook her head. “Nope, afraid not.” She watched Frank pace the room, making agitated noises and not quite believing it.
“Now, aren’t you glad I keep a fully stocked bar?” She motioned for him to drink. Completely undone by the news that Charlotte was heading home to an empty house, ruining everything he planned, Frank gripped the tumbler and slammed it back in one big gulp.
