The Sweet Spot by Amy Poeppel

Author:Amy Poeppel
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Atria/Emily Bestler Books
Published: 2023-01-30T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

When it was finally time to go home that evening, Olivia went to the kitchen to get her coat. Evelyn, Phillip, Leo, Harrell, and Lauren were all sitting at the table, watching the gerbil dash around his cage.

“At least he’s quiet,” said Phillip, as Harrell leaned on him. “Charley and I once took care of a diva’s parrot that literally never stopped talking.”

“What did it say?” Harrell asked.

“Mostly obscenities.”

“Actually, Pixel is probably talking to us right now,” said Leo, his chin on his fists as he watched Pixel tear up a toilet paper roll. “Some of his vocalizations are around fifty kilohertz, which the human ear can’t process.”

“Thank God for something,” said Evelyn, shuddering as the gerbil popped his head up and looked at her.

“I think we’re stuck with him regardless,” Lauren said, and she laughed bitterly. “Thanks a lot, Melinda.”

“Can I take Pixel up to our room?” said Harrell. “We did rock paper scissors, and I won.”

“Sure, but be careful,” said Lauren, sliding the cage toward him. “I don’t want anyone getting bitten.”

Olivia put on her coat, hoping Harrell wouldn’t drop the cage on his way upstairs. She could just imagine the mess, cedar chips and gerbil poop everywhere.

“Why don’t you stay for dinner?” Lauren asked her.

Olivia looked up to see they were all watching her.

“Yes, please stay, Olivia,” Evelyn said, picking up her glass of wine, “because after today, I won’t see you again.”

“That’s a little dramatic, Mom,” said Lauren.

“I’m taking a train to Boston tomorrow morning,” Evelyn said shortly. “And who knows when I’ll ever come back.”

Phillip, who was wearing gold cuff links with his tailored button-down shirt, refilled his wineglass and then hers. He shook his head doubtfully, catching Lauren’s eye. “I’ll believe that when I see it,” he said.

“I’ll have you know, I’ve got a very nice life waiting for me at home,” Evelyn said, clasping her hands together. “And anyway, I’ve overstayed my welcome.”

Olivia wondered if she was fishing for an invitation to stay.

“The Boston suburbs are skull-crushingly dull,” Phillip said. “And I suspect you like our little village more than you’re letting on. Charley always said she thought you had a fun side.”

“I don’t think Charley and I shared the same idea of what constitutes ‘fun,’ ” said Evelyn tightly. “As I recall, Charley’s idea of ‘fun’ was going to Lauren and Leo’s wedding wearing a blouse so see-through, it showed her nipples.”

“Just curious, dear,” said Phillip, tapping his finger on his wineglass, “how much time do you spend thinking about Charley’s nipples?”

“Oh God,” said Leo.

“Charley’s nipples are of absolutely no interest to me,” snapped Evelyn.

Leo covered his ears. “Can we please not talk about my mother’s nipples?”

Olivia was hovering at the door, smiling through the banter. The more time she spent with this family, the more she liked them.

“And anyway, I don’t want you to leave, Evie,” Phillip said. “I’d like to set you up on a date with a friend of mine. If you stick around, he’ll take you to dinner and a concert next week.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.