Chapter 6: Sunday Dinner

I went to Sunday dinner.

Corrine drove me, and kept saying I didn't have to, and I said I knew.

The house looked the same.

The porch light was on, and the long table had been set for six.

The sixth chair held a man in a navy blazer with a Hearth lanyard still around his neck.

My mother introduced him as our friend from the savings app.

He shook my hand and said, "I've heard so much about you."

I said, "I bet."

Colm's phone was already on the ring light.

Dad stood at the head of the table with his arms open.

"My daughter has come home," he said to the lens, "to say something."

Everyone looked at me.

I thought about the drive in my bag, and my mother's spoon clinking against the dish.

"I'm sorry I asked for the money," I said.

My father's shoulders came down.

"I should have known what the answer would be," I said. "I should have counted my own hand before I asked."

He smiled.

"That's all we wanted. Noreen, put that in the notes."

"Dad, can I ask one thing first?" I said. "Since I'm back at the table."

"Of course."

"I'd like to make a motion."

Colm leaned in to his screen.

The Hearth man put down his fork.

"Motion," I said. "That Colm's next purchase is voted by hand, the way mine always are. One person at a time, out loud."

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