No Seat for Me at This Table novel · Chapter 15 of 24

Chapter 15: Sir, Your Party Is Finished

Carla did not come in.

She stood on the step with her arms wrapped around herself, in a dress that had been to a party and spent a night somewhere else.

"I didn't bring my phone," she said. "I want you to know that. Nobody is filming."

"Then come in," I said.

She looked at the oak table, and at the coffee mugs, and at the shirt I was wearing.

"Your mother's table," she said. "I've never seen it in daylight."

"You've eaten at it for two years."

"By lamplight, with my plate." Her mouth twisted. "Her mother's oak. You think I don't know whose it was?"

Marco shifted behind her.

I held up the index card, and Carla's eyes went to it and stayed.

"He gave you the rest," she said.

"He did."

"Good." Her voice cracked. "I'm tired of being the only one who had to carry it."

"For eleven months?"

"Eleven months," she said, stepping closer. "Uncle Paulie's letter was four lines. It said, Ask your mother about your father, and I'm sorry I never said it myself."

"And you took it to Dad."

"I did. After that I stopped asking him." She looked at the floor. "I started watching you instead."

"Dad," I said. "He's your dad."

"He's yours," Carla said. "I get him on loan."

Marco made a sound in his throat.

"You told me she laughed at the funeral," he said to Carla. "You told me she knew, and she was cruel about it."

Carla's chin went up.

"I did."

"Why?"

"Because you were the only one who'd look at me like I was a person, and I couldn't stand it." She wiped under her eye with her wrist. "I wanted you on my side so badly I made her the villain."

"That was a lie about my sister."

"Yes. I'll say sorry for that one." She turned to me. "I won't say it to you yet. I don't know if I'm sorry for the rest."

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