The Manicurist by Phyllis Scheiber

Author:Phyllis Scheiber
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BelleBooks Inc.
Published: 2014-11-30T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

In spite of Regina’s quizzical looks and intermittent efforts to bring the dinner conversation around to Ursula or Althea, Tessa rambled on somewhat inanely about whatever came to mind. She told Walter and Regina about an eight-foot alligator that had walked into a woman’s house in Tampa, Florida. The poor woman had come into the kitchen only to find the huge beast, thrashing about, evidently in search of food.

“What did she do?” Walter said.

“She called 911,” Tessa said.

“They must have thought it was some sort of prank,” Regina said.

“Maybe,” Tessa said. “I don’t know.”

She had already lost interest. Then she asked Walter if the law intern in his office had given birth. Walter said he thought so, and why did she want to know, anyway?

Tessa said, “So I can buy a present, of course. What did she have?”

“A baby,” Walter said. He was already scraping plates and stacking them. “Does it matter?”

Regina rolled her eyes at Tessa, who smiled, happy to be allies again.

“Well, only if she doesn’t mind dressing her son in a pink dress,” Tessa said.

“Why would she do that?” Walter said.

“Forget it, Mom.” Regina gave Walter a threatening look. “I’m not done.” She held onto her plate, discouraging his efforts to add it to the stack. “Get something in yellow.”

“That’s an idea,” Walter said. “A yellow dress.” He laughed when Tessa and Regina exchanged exact looks of disbelief. “Ha! You see? You think I’m totally stupid, but I’m not!”

“Indeed,” Tessa said, but she smiled and handed Walter her plate. She had barely eaten. “You win, as always.”

“Do I detect a sore loser in our midst?” Walter said. “What do you think, Reggie?”

“I’m Switzerland,” Regina said. “I don’t want to get involved. “ She got up and took her own plate to the sink. “I have some work to finish.”

“No dessert?” Tessa said. “I made some baked apples.”

“Maybe,” Regina said.

“Walter?” Tessa asked.

“Definitely,” he said. “Not maybe like our indecisive girl here.”

Regina stood still at the sink until Walter nudged her aside so he could fill the kettle with water.

“I wrote an email to Althea,” Tessa said.

“Really?” he said. “Well, good for you. That must have taken some courage.”

“Not really.” Tessa was a bit thrown by his reaction. “I don’t see how courage has anything to do with it.”

“No? That’s interesting,” he said. “I would have thought you’d be reluctant to reconnect with Althea after all these years and after everything that happened.”

“What happened?” Regina said.

“Nothing,” Tessa said. “Nothing happened.” She scowled at Walter. “I thought we talked about this.”

“Indeed,” Walter said. He took three mugs from the cupboard.

“Preferences?”

“Green,” Regina said.

“Same for me.” Tessa looked at Regina. “I thought you had work to do.”

“I do, but I can’t miss this.”

“Miss it,” Tessa said.

While Walter filled the mugs with hot water, Tessa watched. No one spoke until Regina, looking from her mother to her father, finally said, “Okay. I get it. I think I’ll have my tea in my room. If you guys don’t mind, that is.” She pretended to be offended.

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