Page 36 of Truth

“He was a good kid. Happy. A little spoiled, but most kids who grew up with what he did would be. My sister tried very hard to make sure he appreciated what he had, though.”

Diane handed the stack of plates to me, along with enough forks for everyone. She turned around and reached for the cake and the cake server but halted her movement mid-reach.

I was just about to ask if something was wrong when she spoke.

“He was devastated after they died. For the first three months, he barely spoke to anyone. Even after he did start talking again, you could just tell. He wasn’t the same.” She looked at me and smiled. “He’s happy with you. Happier than I’ve seen him in a long time. Even when he doesn’t have a smile on his face, I can see it in the relaxed set of his shoulders, the way he leans into you when you’re close.”

She paused.

“Thank you.”

I didn’t respond. I didn’t know what to say. Throughout dinner, I’d been trying to think of a question I could ask her. Asking about something that I had no interest in seemed fake somehow, so I’d asked her something I’d truly been curious about. Stephan. I was curious what he’d been like growing up.

Somehow the conversation had turned back to me, and that made me uncomfortable. Diane seemed to sense my anxiety and refocused her attention on the cake. “Are you ready?” she asked, picking up the delicious-looking dessert.

“Yes.”

When we walked back into the dining room, I could tell something was wrong. Stephan was sitting way too straight, and he had his hand clenched into a fist. It was in his lap, so I doubt anyone else at the table noticed, but I did. I thought about going to him but stopped myself when I saw him smile up at his aunt. Whatever it was couldn’t have been that bad, or he wouldn’t have been smiling. I took a deep breath, stayed where I was, and helped Diane serve the slices of cake.

As everyone ate their dessert, I knew time was running out for me to ask Dr. Cooper my question. I knew what I wanted to ask. It was just a matter of opening my mouth and asking him.

His answer wasn’t what I was expecting. Dr. Cooper struck me as a driven man, but I had no idea he chose his profession because of his father. In fact, his answer surprised me. His explanation made it sound like family was important to him, yet he’d believed that woman, a stranger, over his own flesh and blood. If he truly felt this way, I didn’t understand how he could treat Stephan so badly.

The conversation stalled after that. Everyone finished eating their cake, and the men, including Stephan, gathered the dirty dishes and took them into the kitchen, leaving me alone with Diane and Samantha. I was okay with Diane. Samantha I wasn’t sure about, so I tried to make myself seem small without disobeying Stephan’s rule of not looking down.

It didn’t work.

“I like your dress, Brianna. Is it new?” Samantha asked.

I knew I had to answer. Be polite.

“Yes.”

“Where did you get it?” Her voice was pleasant enough, but I was suddenly nervous.

“Stephan. He gave it to me.” My voice was shaking slightly. I couldn’t help it. Something about the way she’d asked the question made me think she was fishing for information, not just asking about my dress. She didn’t seem to like Stephan very much.

“Did Stephan give you that necklace?”

I glanced over at Diane, unsure if I should answer or not. Stephan was still in the other room with Jimmy and Dr. Cooper. I wished he were with me, but I knew he wanted me to try, so I would do my best.

“Yes.”

“Maybe I should get us all some more coffee,” Diane suggested, standing to walk over to the buffet table where a pot of coffee sat warming.

Unfortunately, Samantha didn’t acknowledge Diane. She was completely focused on me, which made me even more nervous.

I closed my eyes briefly and thought about where I was. Stephan told me to let him know if I reached a five or higher. I wasn’t there yet.

“Does he give you things often?” she probed.

“Samantha!” Diane snapped.

Finally Samantha turned her gaze away from me and looked at Diane as she walked back to the table with the coffee.

“Would you like some coffee, Brianna?”

I shook my head. “No, thank you.”

---