relationship have to bring such sadness? Why couldn't
Cary be happy for me? I was near tears and had to
turn away from May before she saw my sadness. Whatever Cary did inside sped things along,
because a few moments later, Loretta appeared to say
it was time we came in to eat.
It was as wonderful a brunch as ever, with
chunks of lobster in Alfredo sauce, shrimp cocktail,
delicious home fries, salads filled with almost every
vegetable imaginable, and as usual, great desserts,
including my favorite, the multilayered, multicolored
petit fours.
Afterward, the men went for their walk along
the beach, Judge Childs and Grandpa lighting up their
cigars. They took Cary along with Daddy, and
Mommy, May, and I were left behind with Grandma
Olivia.
Mommy started to tell Grandma about my date
&
nbsp; and how pretty I looked, when Grandma suddenly
rose from her chair.
"I'd like to speak with Laura," she said,
interrupting Mommy in midsentence, "if you don't
mind, Sara."
"What? Oh. No. Why should I mind?" Mommy
stuttered and gazed about the big room helplessly.
Grandma Olivia was already to the door of the sitting
room.
"Come along, Laura," she commanded. I looked at Mommy, who only shook her head, her eyes wide with surprise. I caught up with Grandma in the
hallway, heading toward the back door.
"Why can't Mommy hear what we say,