Chapter Twenty-Nine
was well after six when I ushered Leah and Riley to the waiting car and told Jimmy to take us home. Riley peppered me with questions about my mother's house for the entire ride, which relieved the tension between Leah and me.
"How big is her house?" Riley asked.
"Super huge," I replied.
"That's not an accurate measurement in real estate terms, Jack," Riley said with a disapproving look. I laughed because I remembered how I used to give my parents the same look when they gave me an unsatisfying answer to questions I'd asked.
"Fine, my mother's house is approximately 10,000 square feet," I said.
"You're kidding, right?" Riley said as she dropped her jaw and stared at me.
"Not kidding at all," I replied seriously. "It's why she can have guests like you come and stay at a moment's notice."
"Our house is less than 2,000 square feet," Riley observed. "That means your mom's house is . . . four, no five times bigger than ours."
"Good job on the math," I said nodding. "At least you know you're not losing anything while you're out of school."
"Very funny," she said as she flashed me a grin that I understood to mean exactly the opposite of what she said.
"Looks aren't everything," I replied, much to Riley's delight as she cracked up, then turned to watch the city rush by. Leah gave me a grateful smile before she too turned and looked out the window. I wanted to ask her what she was thinking about, but I knew the answer was likely to be something she didn't want Riley to hear so I let it go.
When we pulled up in front of my mother's house, Riley let out a small shriek before she shoved her weight against the car door and went running up the front steps. I laughed as I helped Leah out of the car and nodded at Jimmy as he went around to the trunk to get the packages I'd asked him to pick up.
"Who are you?" Riley asked as the butler opened the front door and invited her inside.
"I'm Martin, the butler," he replied in a formal tone as he gave me a quick questioning look. I simply nodded.
"Do you always open the door?" she asked.
"I do," Martin nodded. "Mrs. Yates is waiting for you in the dining room at the end of the hall. Please join her."
Riley, Leah, and I walked back to the dining room where my mother was sitting at the head of the table already surrounded by Lincoln, Jessie, Joey, and Mimi.
"Uncle Jack!" Joey cried as he hopped down off of his chair and ran around the table. "I waited for you!"
"Well, well, well, who do we have here?" I said as the small child threw his arms around my leg and hugged it tightly.
"It's me—Joey," he said looking up at me through eyes that looked eerily like his father's. "Don't you recognize me?"
"Indeed I do," I said reaching down and grabbing him under his arms so I could swing him up to sit on my hip. "And I've brought guests I'd like you to meet. Joey, this is Riley, and this is Leah. Leah and Riley, I'd like you to meet my nephew, Joey."
"Hi, Joey," Riley said as she stuck out a hand for him to shake. He shook it while staring at her without saying a word.
"Hi, Joey," Leah said as she also offered her hand. Joey shook it and then looked at me.
"They are grown up ladies, Uncle Jack," he said solemnly.
"Yes, they are," I nodded, "but I think they like the same kind of food you do."
"Hamburgers?" Joey asked as he looked around the room. "You like hamburgers?"
"I love them," Riley said as she moved around the table and shyly introduced herself to Jessie and Mimi.
"How are you, brother?" I asked as I eyed Lincoln. We hadn't had a conversation since the day he lost his cool over the renovations.
"I'm well, thank you for asking," he said stiffly. My mother watched the two of us, shaking her head.
"I'm glad you could make it for dinner," she said smiling at Leah and Riley. "We're so happy to have you here. Jack has told me all about the miracles you performed in the warehouse since Bernard died. I know he feels lucky to have your skill and expertise keeping that part of the business running."
"Oh, well, I'm glad to be of service," Leah replied blushing a little at the compliment. "Mr. Yates was so kind to me and gave me a chance when no one else would have. I feel like I owe him at least that much."
"You must be starving after a long day at the office!" my mother exclaimed as she motioned towards chairs for Leah, Riley, and me, and then nodded to the serving staff. Soon the room was filled with the smell of freshly grilled hamburgers, homemade French fries and potato salad, and platters full of freshly sliced tomatoes, onions, and pickles. I could see Riley's eyes widen as she fixed an enormous burger, and then tried to figure out how to open her mouth wide enough to take a bite of it.
"Easy, tiger," I said, nudging her with my elbow. "I'm not sure you can open your mouth that wide."
"Sure I can," she said with a stubborn grin. "I've eaten burgers way bigger than this one, haven't I, Leah?"
"Oh sure, right," Leah said rolling her eyes, watching as Riley stretched her mouth as wide as she could and took the first bite of her hamburger. Ketchup and mustard dripped out of the sides of the bun and dropped onto the plate and table around it.
"Oof," she said as she chewed with a satisfied grin. Once she'd swallowed, she looked at me and said, "Told you so."
"I guess you did," I laughed. "I'll never doubt you again."
The conversation turned to questions about Riley's schooling and what things she was learning. My mother kept it all light and easy as my brother and I occasionally shot murderous looks at one another. I knew she saw them, but my mother was the consummate hostess and never let anything ruffle her feathers. By the time dinner was over, she'd gotten Riley and Joey to sing "The Wheels on the Bus." She then helped Joey recite as much as he could remember of "The House that Jack Built," which was punctuated by, "That's you, Uncle Jack!" every time they said, "the house that Jack built." By the time it was over, we were all stuffed with hamburgers, chocolate cake, and ice cream.
"Oh God, I'm so full," Jessie groaned as she pushed herself away from the table. She picked up Mimi and said, "C'mon Joey, time to get ready for bed!"
"I'm full, too," Riley echoed as she wrapped her arms around her midsection and rolled her eyes as Jessie and the kids headed up to the second floor. "I ate way too much!"
"Then you'll sleep well tonight," Leah said as she patted her on the shoulder. "C'mon, get your things together. We need to get going."
"Going?" my mother asked as she gave me a confused look. "I thought that since your house burned down, you'd be staying with us."
"Oh, I . . . well . . . I mean," Leah stammered as she quickly looked at me and then back at my mother. I could see the tears begin to well up as her face crumpled, and she cried, "Oh, Jack, how could you?"
Leah pushed her chair back, leapt up, and shot out of the room. I heard the front door open and slam shut, and I knew I'd made a big mistake. Riley looked at me and then looked at the hallway before looking back at me.
"Jack, go talk to her, darling," my mother prompted. "Tell her that you're sorry."
"Sorry for what?" I said defensively.
"Sorry for fucking up in such a big way," my brother said in a dry voice. "Even I recognize that."
"Shut up, asshole," I shot back.
"Boys!" my mother shouted. "I will not have that kind of talk around my table!"
"Sorry," we both muttered.
"Jack, go find Leah and tell her that you're sorry you embarrassed her," my mother instructed. "Lincoln, Jessie’s getting the children ready to go home. Go help her. I'll help Riley get settled in her room."
I got up from the table and headed outside. As I stood on the front steps trying to figure out where Leah had gone, I saw movement in the garden. I headed over and found Leah sitting on a bench with her face in her hands. She was crying.
"I'm sorry," I said quietly. "I didn't mean to embarrass you."
The silence that followed was deafening.