Her smile appeared automatically.
“Evan! My son! What a surprise.”
But the smile faded quickly when she noticed Meredith beside me.
Guests glanced at one another uneasily.
I walked to the center of the room.
“Who’s hosting this celebration?” I asked calmly.
My mother lifted her chin.
“We’re celebrating family.”
I nodded slowly.
“Then let’s act like one.”
I placed a reassuring hand on Meredith’s shoulder.
“Stay with me.”
She stood beside me, trembling slightly.
Then I addressed the room.
“I came home tonight planning to surprise my wife,” I said, “and instead I found her washing dishes in the back kitchen like a hired employee.”
Soft murmurs moved through the crowd.
