Mirror, The by Heldt John A

Author:Heldt, John A. [Heldt, John A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: John A. Heldt
Published: 2014-02-28T07:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 42: GINNY

Bellevue, Washington – Saturday, June 13, 1964

Joyce Carrington's nightmare materialized in less than three hours. At eight forty-five, most of the food at the graduation party ran out as guests continued to stream in. Fortunately for those who came to drink and socialize, it didn't matter. The beer, wine, and booze flowed as freely as the pointless conversations.

"There are a lot of people here," Ginny said. "No wonder your mom looks stressed."

Steve laughed.

"She'll be fine. Half the people I've talked to ate dinner before they came. They don't care that the food's gone. The others are too smashed to notice."

Ginny couldn't disagree. Whether looking at the patio or the pool area or the lawn that extended to the lake, she saw the same thing: guests with drinks staggering from place to place. Graduation parties, like large wedding receptions, brought out the best and worst in people.

"I'm afraid one of the others is your dad. Here he comes now."

Ginny put on her best plastic smile as Richard Carrington, martini in hand, bumped and excused his way through a gaggle of guests to the edge of the yard, where his college-graduate son and his high-school-graduate girlfriend had carved out a quiet space.

"Steven, there you are. I've been looking for you."

"What up, Dad?"

"Bill is taking pictures inside. He wants to get a few of you and Connie."

Steve turned to Ginny.

"Bill Owen is a family friend. He owns a photography studio in Kirkland."

Steve looked at his father.

"Can he wait?"

"I suppose he can," Richard said with a slight slur. He glanced at Ginny like a wolf sizing up a lamb. "Well, hello there, little lady. You look awfully pretty tonight. Is that a new dress?"

Ginny wanted to put the drunkard in his place with a wisecrack but instead fortified her smile. She hated small talk with people like Richard but knew it was the price she had to pay to date the man holding her hand.

"It is, Mr. Carrington. I bought it yesterday."

"It thought that might be the case," Richard said. "I must say that if I hadn't seen you standing next to my son, I might have mistaken you for your equally lovely sister. She's wearing the same dress tonight."

"You're very observant, sir. You won't miss a thing in Olympia."

Steve smiled nervously and tightened his grip on Ginny's hand.

"What did I tell you, son? She's a keeper."

Richard gulped the remainder of his cocktail and clumsily turned to face the lake. He put his free hand to his forehead and squinted as the light from the setting sun hit his eyes.

"I see your mother's found another crisis to fret over. She's arguing with the caterer. I'd better step in before they draw pistols," Richard said. He glanced at Ginny. "It was nice seeing you again, Miss Smith. I'm sure we'll meet again."

"It's inevitable, sir."

Richard cocked his head and narrowed his eyes, as if trying to determine whether Ginny had just needled him, but he didn't say another word. He instead gave his son and his girl a five-martini salute and walked slowly and unsteadily toward his wife.

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