Page 57 of Echoes of a Silent Song
Yes, I remembered Robert.He graduated a couple of years ago and was now attending Northwestern.He’d been class president, homecoming king, and all the other inane high school status symbols that made people like my mother salivate.
“I told you just this morning.”Mother turned toward me, her voice tight with exasperation.“Honestly, Iris.You’ve always got your head in the clouds.Go upstairs and change.Wear your nice red floral blouse.Red is a good color for you.”
Of course she wanted me to wear my red floral blouse.I hated that blouse.So stiff and scratchy.
“Oh, but don’t wear the white skirt.It’s much too short.”She checked her hair in the mirror behind the buffet.“Wear the navy jumper instead.And put on some rouge for once.You look like a ghost.”
Maybe I should’ve allowed myself to blush.“Mother, I have an English exam tomorrow, and—”
“Now, Iris.”Mother turned a fiery glare on me.“The Stuarts will be here in ten minutes.”
I waited until she turned back toward the mirror, then rolled my eyes to the ceiling.“Why is this such a big deal?”
“Because Robert Stuart is a wonderful young man, and last time I talked with his mother, she told me he was interested in you.”
Robert Stuart?Interested inme?Not possible.We had nothing in common.I wasn’t even sure he knew I existed.He’d certainly never spoken to me or even acknowledged my existen—
Wait.Mr.Stuart was the president of First National Bank downtown.Mrs.Stuart was related to the Roebucks of Chicago.The Stuarts were the richest family in Peterson, and I knew my mother and Glenda Stuart played bridge together.Those two must’ve been matchmaking.Planning a family alliance.That was literally the only reason Robert Stuart would have any interest in me whatsoever.
“Robert intends to become a lawyer, then go into politics.Run for governor someday.Maybe even president.”She turned to me, her eyes sparkling like a teenage girl with a crush.“Just think of it, Iris.First Lady Iris Stuart.”
The name landed with a decidedly unmusical thud.Nothing likeIris Nelsonin lights on a marquee.
“Mother, I—”
The doorbell chimed, and my mother jumped.“Oh!They’re early.Go upstairs and change right now.”She gave me a gentle shove toward the stairs.“Join us in the living room for hors d’oeuvres.”
“Fine.”I started up the stairs.Dinner smelled delicious, but I’d lost my appetite.I had a sneaking suspicion that before the evening ended, I’d have to come clean with some secrets.
That sort of thing usually didn’t end well.
Flora slid a plate of beef Wellington before me.I murmured my thanks as she moved to my left, where Robert was sitting.His aftershave wasso strong that I could barely smell the beef, and that irritated me.Flora’s beef Wellington was delicious.Anything that covered up its aroma was a crime.
Robert hadn’t changed much since high school: blond, blue-eyed, and so impossibly handsome he may as well have been made of plastic.He looked like a human Ken doll, and he’d obviously been well programmed.He smiled at the exact time and to the exact degree that he was supposed to, no matter the situation.He made conversation with ease, as though he were born doing it.There was not an ounce of awkwardness in this man, but there wasn’t an ounce of realness either.
Maybe the Stuarts had ordered him from a lab.They’d certainly have been able to afford it.
Robert turned to me, and his smile notched up to a 6.5.Flirtatious but Still Family Friendly seemed to be his current setting.“I forgot how quiet you are, Iris.”
“She’s always been a shy one,” Father commented from the head of the table.Beside me, opposite him, my mother gently nudged my ankle with the toe of her pump, her socially acceptable way of ordering me to say something witty and charming.Even when I was with someone I wanted to impress, witty and charming didn’t come naturally.And I had no desire to impress Robert Stuart, or charm him, or do anything whatsoever with him except endure this forced dinner.
Because he wasn’t Victor.
“It’s fine, Mr.Wallingford.”Robert turned his smile up to a 7.2.“I don’t mind, I assure you.Lots of girls, you can’t get a word in edgewise.Iris here is a breath of fresh air.”
As if a conductor had just cued them, all the adults at the table laughed that light, humorless laugh the wealthy had perfected:What you said wasn’t funny, but you’re a high-status individual, so I shall reward you with an expression of humor and delight.
I only laughed when something was genuinely funny.So I didn’t laugh.
Mother leaned over.Her expression was perfectly pleasant, but her teeth were clenched.“Would it kill you to smile?”
I met her gaze.“I fear it just might.”
“So, Iris.”Robert speared a bite of sautéed asparagus.“What do you like to do for fun?I hear there’s a new Bond film coming out in a couple of weeks.Are you excited to see that one?”
“No, I ...I don’t go to the movies much.”I took a bite of beef to have a ready-made excuse for not making further conversation.
Another nudge on my ankle from Mother.“Iris is much more interested in music than movies.”
