Brian closed his eyes for a moment.
Nancy turned toward him.
“Told her what?”
The youngest child kept dipping a fry into ketchup, unaware of the stillness gathering around the table.
Brian opened his eyes.
“That I asked you to come.”
Nancy waited.
This morning, Jessica had answered Brian’s phone when Nancy called to ask about the weekend. She had sighed and said they were taking the children out, and Nancy could join them if she needed company that badly.
Nancy had apologized for interrupting.
Now Brian looked at Jessica.
“I told you to invite her.”
Jessica folded her napkin.
“And she’s here.”
“You told me she insisted.”
“She would have called again.”
Nancy lowered her purse into her lap.
Brian had heard that apology in the parking lot. He had let her explain that she hadn’t meant to intrude.
“You knew I thought I wasn’t wanted,” she said.
Brian’s eyes filled, but she kept looking at him.
“And you let me thank you for bringing me.”
“I thought correcting it would start an argument.”
Jessica gave a short, irritated breath.
“So now we’re examining every word I say?”
Brian looked at Tyler.
“No. We’re explaining why our son thinks he has to tell the truth for us.”
Tyler pulled his hands into his lap.
Brian leaned forward.
“You haven’t done anything wrong. You don’t need to say anything else.”
Nancy watched her grandson’s shoulders lower.
Jessica began gathering the children’s things.
“We’re leaving.”
Brian didn’t reach for his keys.
“They can finish. Mom’s dinner is coming.”
“You can come with your family, or you can sit here with her.”
The choice settled over the booth with a familiarity Nancy hated.
She touched Brian’s sleeve.
“I can get home.”
“I know.”
He looked at Jessica.
“I’m staying until everyone has eaten.”
