Second First Impressions

Aggie speaks. “Then find him.”

“I’m so glad she’s not a jerk,” Renata says as they walk to the dance floor. Her shawl slips from her shoulder and I see her tattoo: AGATHA FOREVER. It’s perfect.

Together, they step into an easy waltzing shuffle. Other couples join them, and soon the dance floor is a slow-motion, creaking sway. There are walking frames. Some dancers sit down periodically to rest. It’s the tamest, sweetest little party. I take the box of corsages that Melanie handmade and begin to tie them to frail wrists. Tonight, everyone feels twenty-five.

Tonight is a miracle.

I lean against the wall, just watching, and a woman walks in. She’s tall, powerful, and would be chosen first for a school sport.

“This is actually quite lovely,” Rose Prescott says as she sets down her overnight bag against the wall next to me. “You’ve got a nice taste level. I was just coming up to let you know my father is arriving in the morning. I wanted to go through the audit findings here, seeing as though he’s always going on about how important that is.” Rose isn’t one to say something like, thanks for the invitation.

“Melanie says that you’ll recommend that the site be developed once the tenancies expire.”

“It’s what we do. Surely you’ve realized it. Don’t be looking so accusing,” she adds defensively. “And don’t take your anger at my father’s son out on me.”

“Why don’t you ever call him your brother?”

“Because I don’t want a brother.”

“He loves you so much he’s got a rose tattooed on himself. But you’ve probably never spent enough time with him to notice it. He’s been heartbroken since he was a kid that you don’t want anything to do with him.”

Emotion flares in her eyes. “It’s complicated.”

“Working here, I’ve realized that it doesn’t have to be. And that life goes by quick. One day you and I will look like them.” I nod at the crowd. “I think it’s time we both make peace with a few things.”

“Teddy said he’d be here, didn’t he,” Rose says like she’s making one last pitch to change my mind. “He promised you, I bet.”

No, he didn’t. I’d hoped. “He did. But if he has somewhere more important to be, I understand.” I see a tall man in the doorway and my heart leaps.

But then Rose says, “Oh, there’s my dad.”

Jerry Prescott walks up to us, pulling a carry-on suitcase. “I just got into town, thought I’d come and see what all the fuss is about. This is amazing.”

He turns around us, smiling at the slow-dancing seniors on the dance floor. His gaze does catch on the Parlonis and their romantic clinch, but if he’s surprised he recovers well. “I want to congratulate you on a fantastic year of hard work, Ruthie, despite everything that’s happened.”

“Don’t congratulate me too soon,” I reply glumly. “Rose has bad news.”

“Oh, yes. She briefed me quickly on that.” Jerry’s face grows serious. “Did she tell you that we never believed you were involved? The matter is now with law enforcement. Sylvia is disembarking in Noumea tomorrow morning, and she’s going to be met by police. It looks like she was embezzling from the previous owners of Providence, too. Since she’s been working here for over fifteen years, we’d say a loss of $400,000 is conservative. If only I’d taken a tour with you, like you offered, the day I arrived here, we might have picked it up sooner. Forty little town houses.”

Rose sighs like she’s beaten. “I already know what you’re going to say, so I’ll just agree and say that from now on, I will personally walk every site we ever buy.”

The mirror ball turns, my eyes are dazzled by a starburst, and when they readjust to the dark room, I see a new silhouette in the doorway. It’s another man I don’t recognize. He’s tall and dressed in a suit that looks like it was made for him. He’s got a sharp, edgy haircut, the sides shaved close to his head and some length on top, shining blue-black in the scattered disco ball lights.

It’s Teddy. He’s come back, and—

“He got a haircut.” Both Jerry and Rose gasp in unison.

Teddy spots us now and begins to walk over. The Parlonis see him and begin to make their way over to us, too.

>

“My, my, don’t you look sharp,” Jerry exclaims, clapping his son hard on the shoulder. “You wouldn’t be out of place in PDC corporate headquarters, would he, Rose?”

Teddy’s eyes are only on me. “I came back. I’m not too late, am I?”

I gesture around us. “I’d say you’ve got perfect timing, like always. Where’s your beautiful hair?” He’s so handsome and grown up, I stare at his polished leather shoes. It seems that Fairchild has changed him in a way I didn’t anticipate. Now, the half-full packing boxes in my living room are terrifying.

He steps to stand beside me, and the warmth of his palm on my shoulder is a relief. “I did what Dad said to do. I got a haircut. I’m here to tell you that you win. I’m ready to grow up and be what you want me to be. Add me to the payroll.” He’s not speaking to me. His eyes are only on Rose.