Chapter 6: Brunch

I did not answer Jared's text on Alessia's phone.

I took out my own and sent him one.

Brunch, the Lakeshore Club, eleven tomorrow. All four of you. Sit down and say it to me properly.

He answered in under a minute.

Finally. See you there, Mom.

He thought I was folding.

On Sunday I arrived at the club at ten-thirty and asked for the long table by the windows, the one every member could see from the buffet.

Then I sat with my back to the lake and waited.

By eleven the dining room held about forty members, and most of them were people I had known for years.

My sons walked in together.

Jared led, in a camel coat with a new tie, and his smile was already prepared.

My second son and my third son came behind him, and Eli came last with his head down.

"Mom," Jared said, and kissed my cheek.

I let him.

"Sit."

They sat.

A waiter brought coffee and the menus, and Jared ordered for the four of them without opening his.

"The lobster omelet for me, and whatever my brothers want. Put it on the family account."

"Of course, Mr. Cardwell."

"Before the food comes," I said, "here is what I offer."

I laid my phone on the cloth between us, open to a message addressed to Alessia.

"Each of you writes her an apology. Not to me, to her. You say what you did at the door and what you did before it. You sign your own name."

"And in return?" my second son said.

"The cards, the cars and your apartments stay yours until we've settled the rest."

"Mom." Jared spread his hands. "You can't buy an apology."

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