Page 45 of Blitzing Emily

“It all looks delicious.”

“Thank you, Mark. Amy, would you like some mashed potatoes?”

“Yes, I would, Mom. Thanks.”

They passed the bowls of mashed potatoes, salad, and the platter of roast beef to each other. It was more family bonding time. Emily hadn’t been home for Sunday dinner for almost six weeks. She had multiple performances between Seattle Opera productions, and this meant more traveling. She didn’t see her mom and dad every day anymore. When she did spend time with them, the changes were pronounced. Her mom’s brilliant auburn hair was graying. She’d evidently decided to stop coloring it.

Her dad was not only digging into his plate like he hadn’t seen food for a week, he was smiling at her mother like he meant it. Something was going on.

“This is very good, Meg,” her father said.

Emily’s mother blushed. “I’m glad you like it.”

In the past the only way Amy and Emily had managed to get them in the same room for Sunday dinner was to threaten family therapy; something had happened over the past two months. Emily caught Amy’s eye and lifted a brow. Amy gave her a quick nod. They’d be discussing this later. In the meantime, Meg Hamilton smiled at her daughters.

“Honey,” her mother said to Emily, “How are your rehearsals going, and how are you feeling today?”

“My head hurts a little, but it’s much better than it was the other day. The doctor gave me a release, so I’ll be back in rehearsals tomorrow. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Mom patted her hand. “It’s good to have you home for a little while.” Her dad nodded as well.

“It seems like I come home, and then I have to leave again.”

“Does Brandon know you’ll be leaving again in a few weeks?”

“I’ll make sure to talk to him about it.”

Emily’s dad looked up from his plate. “Speaking of Brandon, we’d like him to come by for dinner at his earliest convenience. Your mother and I want to meet him.” He put his fork down and gave her a puzzled look. “Would you mind telling me why you got engaged to a man you’ve known less than a week?”

Amy covered her mouth with her fingertips. Her mother glanced at him and said softly, “Mark.” They looked at each other. “Not at the table, please.”

He heaved a heavy sigh. “I want answers, Meg.”

“I know. I do, too.”

Emily wanted to crawl under the table, but she took another bite of pot roast instead. She had answers, but she was fairly sure her parents wouldn’t like them.

“Mom and Dad?” She pulled breath into her lungs. “I ... Well, I ...” She glanced down at her plate for a moment. “It’s not that big of a deal.”

“You show up wearing the biggest engagement ring I’ve ever seen, reporters are badgering your mother and me at the office, and ‘It’s not that big of a deal’?” her father said. “How long have you known this young man?”

“A while.”

“How long?”

“Mark,” her mother repeated, but she didn’t look altogether happy, either. “When will we meet this Brandon? Have you set a date, honey?”

“Everything is fine,” Emily said. “Don’t get all crazy. We’re not planning a wedding.”

Emily’s mother forgot all about her inside voice. “Excuse me? Why not?”

“Meg,” her father said. He stared at Emily, and then sat forward a bit in his chair. “Why on earth would you get engaged and not be planning a wedding?”

Emily wasn’t a fourteen-year-old anymore, begging her parents to let her move to San Francisco to train with a former diva. She’d been on her own for a long time now. She also knew that her parents were worried something was wrong. At the same time, she should have dragged Brandon over here and let him do the explaining. His parents, at least his mother, hadn’t seemed too excited about this, either.

“We’re taking our time,” she said.

Her dad bent over his plate and said nothing. The color was draining out of her mother’s face. Amy’s mouth was opening and shutting like a goldfish’s.

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