Since Last Summer by Joanna Philbin

Author:Joanna Philbin [PHILBIN, JOANNA]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: urn|ean|9780316212090
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published: 2014-05-31T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

“I think I should tell the caterers we want to do a pasta, a fish, and maybe a beef tenderloin,” Mrs. Rule said, addressing Rory over her shoulder. “What do you think?”

“Great,” Rory said, because it sounded like Mrs. Rule needed to hear that. “All of those sound great.” She trailed behind Mrs. Rule through the prepared food aisle at Citarella carrying a basket, in case she was here to help with any grocery shopping. But like last week’s shopping expedition, she had the distinct feeling that she was here to keep Mrs. Rule company, for reasons she still didn’t understand.

“I always do this before I give a party,” said Mrs. Rule, gesturing to the glassed-in case of crab cakes and grilled salmon and Kobe beef burgers on display. “It’s the only way that I can really get a sense of what I want before I go to the caterers. Excuse me.”

The man in chef’s whites behind the case walked up to her.

“I’d like a taste of that soy-ginger seared beef,” she said, pointing.

No please, and no question mark necessary, Rory thought.

“Hmmm,” she said, nibbling on the tiny toothpick-sized portion of beef. “Would you like to try some?” Before Rory could answer, Mrs. Rule faced the man behind the counter again. “Another one for my friend.”

Mrs. Rule passed her the toothpick, and Rory popped the entire piece of beef in her mouth before she could remember to nibble. “Good,” she said, swallowing.

Mrs. Rule clasped her tanned hands under her chin and thought deeply. “The flavors… I don’t know. They’re so… ethnic. Maybe we should do something like the Kobe burgers.”

“So you’re really going to go ahead with this party?” Rory asked.

“Of course,” said Mrs. Rule. “The invitations were sent out this morning.

The Kobe burger, please,” she said to the man behind the counter.

“Is the family excited about it?” she asked tentatively.

Mrs. Rule nibbled half the burger sample and tossed the rest in the trash. “Why wouldn’t they be? Well, except for one person. And I think you know who I’m talking about.” She walked farther down the case. “Kelly Quinlan tells me that Isabel’s turned her back on all her old friends. She’s waitressing at a glorified diner. Her father says that she ignores his e-mails and phone calls and invitations to go stay with him. Which is fine; she doesn’t need to do that if she doesn’t want to,” Mrs. Rule said lightly, pulling her handbag strap farther up her shoulder, “but she should at least write him back. And I can’t talk to her. She doesn’t listen to me. But she listens to you. You’re the only one she listens to.”

Rory wanted to say that Isabel listened to absolutely no one, including her.

“I’d like you to tell her that she’s made her point, whatever that is, and that it’s done. She needs to be part of this family, instead of constantly running off and spending time with… with…” Mrs. Rule shook her head, as if Evan and Isabel’s fellow waiters eluded description.

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