Page 16 of Rafe: Sins of the Father

At 7pm I come down the stairs in one of the few dresses I brought with me. It’s a short vintage Chinese Cheongsam dress characterized by its high collar, fitted bodice, and slit on the side.

The feeling of the dress is dignified and elegant. I couldn’t resist when my mother and I traveled to China last year. It’s mulberry silk of the highest quality, trimmed with satin frog buttons that decorate the high mandarin collar and the diagonal slant on my right shoulder.

It fits my body to perfection, and with my hair swept up into a French twist, it elongates my neck. I feel pretty and elegant and very grown up.

My father and his associate are in the study, glasses of bourbon in their hands. They turn when I appear in the archway.

“Tori,” my father says, a smile on his face. “You look beautiful, sweetheart. Alex, may I present my daughter, Tori. Tori, this is Alex Powers of Lorenzo Cellars & Vineyard.”

The man is tall and attractive, perhaps in his late thirties or early forties. His smile is worthy of any movie star. He extends his hand and takes mine.

Instead of shaking it, he brings the back of my hand to his lips for a kiss.

“Ah, the lovely Tori. It’s my pleasure to meet you. Your father has spoken of you and how pleased he is you’ve returned to California.”

“Mr. Powers—”

“Alex, please.”

“Alex, it’s nice to meet you as well. And where is your vineyard located?”

“In Napa. Perhaps I can persuade you and your father to visit sometime.”

“I think we’d both love that, Alex,” my father replies. “Wouldn’t we, dear?”

“I’m sure it’s lovely.”

“I brought a bottle of our best for us to share over dinner.”

“How thoughtful, but I’m not of age to drink yet.”

“Right. Of course. Perhaps your father would allow you a glass with dinner in the confines of your lovely home.”

“Of course. I’m sure she’d love a taste.”

Ruth appears at the door. “Dinner is served, Raymond.”

“Thank you, Ruth.”

Alex extends his elbow to me. “May I escort you, Tori?”

I smile and take his arm, and we move to the dining room. Alex pulls out my chair, and we all sit. I’m across from him with my father on one end and my aunt on the other.

The meal passes in amicable chit-chat, and it’s not as bad as I’d feared. I actually relax and enjoy myself.

When the meal is over and we’re having dessert and coffee, my father looks at me.

“I was telling Alex about O’Bryan’s earlier. Perhaps you’d like to show it to him, Tori?”

My father’s suggestion takes me by surprise, and I hesitate with a forkful of cheesecake halfway to my mouth. O’Bryan’s is a landmark around here. It’s famous for its coffee and pies. I used to love the place as a child. They had a courtyard in the back and a waterfall fountain. I used to throw coins in it as a child and make a wish. But I’m confused that he’d want me to entertain this man.

“I’d love to see it. It sounds intriguing.” Alex looks hopefully at me. “I can’t think of a lovelier guide to show me the sites. I’ve never been to this area before.”

“I’m sure it’s nothing compared to Napa and San Francisco.”

“If you’d rather not—”

My father cuts Alex off. “Nonsense. She’d love to show it to you.” He winks at me. “Perhaps you’ll bring your old man a pint of their coffee ice cream.”

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