Doomsday Rebirth novel · Chapter 6 of 24

Chapter 6: The Birthday

Dexter's mother turned sixty on the first Saturday of August.

She had forty guests and a three-tier cake in the back room of an Italian restaurant in Parma.

I walked in at seven with Ezra in a borrowed jacket behind me.

He had asked me on the drive whether he was the date or the cover story.

I told him he was both.

He said that was efficient and fell asleep against the car window for the last five minutes.

Lacey had invited me.

She had called on Tuesday to say Dexter's mother missed me, and that it would be good for everybody to make peace.

She had said it so kindly that I almost forgot she had once said something else to four hundred strangers.

So I came.

The room was warm and loud, with white tablecloths and a banner that said 60 AND FABULOUS.

Dexter stood at the head table in a navy suit.

His arm was around his mother's shoulders, and he saw me and didn't let go.

Lacey was beside him in a green dress, laughing at something.

She looked up, saw Ezra, and her smile did not change at all.

"Gillian!" Dexter's mother said, and held out both hands.

She had always liked me, and I had always liked her.

"I'm so glad you came, sweetheart. Whatever's happened, it's none of my business."

"Happy birthday," I said, and kissed her cheek.

Then I looked at Dexter.

"I came for three things. They won't take long."

He smiled for the room.

"Gill, not tonight."

"Tonight's good. Everyone's here."

I held out my hand.

"The Jeep you drive is leased in my name. I pay the bill. It's parked outside, and I'd like the key."

"We can talk about it tomorrow."

"Give her the key, Dexter," his mother said.

The room had gone quiet enough to hear the ice in the pitchers.

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