Page 28 of Silver Fake

"Mom," John says, "are you okay?"

She takes another deep breath and then pulls the napkin away, waving it towards John dismissively. She smiles, but this smile is different than before. It's like she's forcing it a bit.

"I'm fine, darling. Just a bit of indigestion. I think they got a little heavy-handed with the Cajun seasoning on mine."

My eyes move to Bill. A worry line creases the center of his forehead until he notices me and gives me a small smile. The worry doesn't leave his face, though.

I can see John's not buying it either. He's got the same worry line as his father in the middle of his forehead.

After a few more sips of water, color appears to return to Nancy's cheeks. Her eyes begin to sparkle mischievously once again, and her genuine smile replaces the forced one.

"Lisa dear," she says, turning her attention to me. "Has John told you any stories about him and his brother Jack growing up?" Her sudden change in demeanor is both startling and relieving, shifting the tension that hung in the air just moments ago.

I shake my head, my eyes wide with interest. "No, he hasn't." I giggle, looking at John. "I'd love to hear some of those stories."

John gives a low groan. "Oh no, not the childhood stories, Mom."

Bill chuckles. "John, telling embarrassing stories are what mothers are for."

John shakes his head, defeat evident on his face. He turns to me. "Please don't judge me for whatever it is my mom is about to say."

I look at him, a playful smirk tugging at my lips. "Oh, I'm definitely going to judge you."

He responds by planting a soft kiss on my cheek and leaning in close so that only I can hear him. "Well, in that case, I guess I'll just have to charm my way back into your good graces." His voice, so low and seductive, sends a thrill racing down my spine.

I glance up and catch both Nancy and Bill watching John and I with warm, contented smiles on their faces. There's a spark of approval in their eyes - a sort of unspoken acceptance that stirs an unexpected warmth in my heart.

Then Nancy rubs her hands together and winks at John, and I know this story is going to be good.

"I like baking," she says, "and sometimes I'll make things like wedding cakes or cupcakes or different events around town. In fact, I made the wedding cake that's going to be served tomorrow."

She pauses and looks at John, and he drops his head, squeezing the bridge of his nose like he knows exactly which childhood story she's about to share.

"I made a cake once for this really popular girl's sixteenth birthday party. Her parents were throwing her a huge event, and they wanted this giant six-tiered cake with lots of flowers and decor on it. It took me so many hours to make that cake I thought I'd never get the feeling back in my hands."

She pauses, and John covers his face.

"Mom," he groans, but she just laughs.

"John was twelve and Jack was fourteen and they thought this girl was their destiny. So when it was time to deliver the cake to her party they just had to come. I was grateful for the help because the cake was so heavy, and they helped me bring it in and set it up. The girl saw us and came skipping over to thank us. Then she bent down and kissed John on the cheek." Bill is laughing beside her already, and I swear John's beat red. "John's eyes bugged out of his head, and I think he must have stopped breathing because he passed out and fell backward, landing on top of her cake."

We all burst out laughing. Well, everyone except for John.

I poke him in the ribs. “Sorry," I say. "But you've got to admit that's funny."

"I'll give you that," he says, and a wicked gleam lights up his eyes. "Just remember that when I pry embarrassing stories out of your mom when I see her."

Suddenly, Nancy reaches into her bag and retrieves her smartphone, a twinkle in her eyes. "I know you two aren't keen on social media, but may I, please, have just one picture of you both?" She looks at us with hopeful eyes, her thumb hovering over the camera button. "I promise it won't go anywhere beyond my phone."

A sudden jolt of fear shoots through me. One of my rules was no pictures. I almost panic, but manage to keep my composure, plastering a smile on my face.

John opens his mouth, I can tell he's about to suggest that another time might be better but I interject before he can finish.

"Sure," I say quickly. "One picture is fine."

Nancy's face lights up, the corners of her mouth curling into a wide grin. "Oh, thank you, dear!" She quickly adjusts the angle of her phone, and with a click, the picture is taken. Nancy's eyes twinkle as she looks at the photo on her screen.

"Would you like to see?" she asks, offering me the phone with a warm smile.

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