You've Got Male novel · Chapter 7 of 24

Chapter 7: Dinner for Four

Francine insisted on cooking dinner in my father's kitchen.

She tied on my mother's old apron.

She chopped onions with a knife I had never seen her touch.

I let her.

By seven the dining table was set for four with my grandmother's china and candles.

Lyle had opened a bottle of wine an hour early.

"I invited Maisie," I said. "I hope that's fine."

"The more the merrier," Francine said, and her smile was a knife laid on a plate.

Maisie arrived in a clean windbreaker and her best gap-toothed grin.

She sat across from Francine and picked up her fork.

My phone lay face up in my lap, under the napkin.

The red dot on the recorder was running.

I had pressed it before I sat down.

"To the newlyweds," Francine said, raising her glass.

We drank.

"To family," she went on. "And to grandchildren, which I am told are coming soon."

Lyle choked on his wine.

"Francine," Maisie said sweetly. "Do you want a grandchild from a man who can't swallow in front of his mother?"

"Maisie," Lyle said.

"Sorry. I get tired of watching people be polite."

I put my hand on Lyle's arm.

"I'd love to start right away," I said. "I've waited my whole life for a house full of children."

Lyle's hand went stiff under mine.

"We have time," he said. "A man likes to settle in first."

"Settle in how long?"

"A year or two. We'll see."

"A year or two." I tried to make my voice small. "I'm thirty-one."

"And beautiful," Francine said briskly. "Don't fuss, dear. A baby is a lovely thing."

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