Chapter 11: The Returning Favor

Hallie returned her old engagement presents at a table full of witnesses.

She had wrapped them in the same cream paper as our wedding gifts.

Della had invited us to an outdoor family lunch behind her house.

I had thought Hallie was dropping off a dish, like the other neighbors.

Instead, she opened the first parcel beside Tate's plate.

A framed photograph showed him holding a porch swing above his shoulders.

Hallie sat smiling on the swing while he waited to hang it.

"You were always so reliable," she told him.

Tate looked at the frame without reaching for it.

"Did you want me to take the photograph?" he asked.

"I thought Becca should see what she is getting," Hallie replied.

I set down my fork so nobody could mistake its movement for applause.

The second parcel held a knitted sweater with a long loose sleeve.

Hallie explained that Tate had promised to have its cuff repaired.

He had given it to her during their engagement, two years earlier.

I wondered how long an unfinished cuff could reasonably survive as a claim.

Joelle reached for the sleeve and held it beside her own arm.

"That is a generous promise," she observed.

"It could keep somebody occupied until winter."

Della asked whether Hallie wanted a seat, plainly hoping food would improve the afternoon.

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