Chapter 9: Book Club

My mother's book club meets on the second Wednesday of the month, and I walked into it at seven-fifteen without knocking.

Eight women sat in her living room with wine and a cheese board.

My mother was on the sofa with a paperback open on her knee.

"Nolan." She smiled. "We're discussing chapter nine."

"I need to talk to you."

"After the meeting, dear."

"Now, please."

Eight faces turned toward me, then toward her.

She closed the book on her finger.

"Ladies, excuse us for one minute."

"No," I said. "Stay. I'd like you to hear this."

I do not know where that came from.

My mother's smile did not move.

"I know what you said to Kendall over lunch," I said. "Say it to them."

The woman in the green cardigan put down her wine.

"I said nothing improper," my mother said.

"Lena heard her repeat it. So did I."

"I took a valued employee to lunch."

"Over a salad, with the dressing on the side."

My mother looked around the room at her friends, one by one.

She gave each of them a small, tired smile.

I understood that she had decided to win this in front of everyone.

"Nolan, you're upset. I understand why."

"I'm not upset. I'm asking if you did it."

"I did," she said calmly.

Somebody on the loveseat drew a breath.

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