Page 109 of Takedown

Mel’s body is pressed close to mine. Her head is on my shoulder and every few seconds, I reach over and feed her a spoonful of cake mixed with strawberry ice cream. Between bites of dessert, I squeeze her thigh. She knows my touch is a promise of what’s to come.

Dinner was filled with laughs and the best Italian food in the city. My wife glowed all night. She laughed, fed me food from her plate, and kissed my cheek so often that Jason playfully told her to knock it off. Diane’s presence at our table did not take an ounce of joy away from her. She barely talked to her mother at all, but Diane was so busy playing the proud mother for Ethan, Tara, and Elizabeth, she didn’t have the chance to annoy Mel.

“You enjoying your party, love?”

“Best party ever.”

“Just wait until you graduate.” I lean down, kiss her forehead, and offer her another spoonful.

“Tell me something, please. Is my daughter no longer able to feed herself?” William’s eyes light up at his own question.

“Adam kind of spoils me.” I give Mel another spoonful and make a show of wiping her mouth.

“You deserve it,” Tara says from across the table.

“Says the original spoiled rotten girl,” Ethan says to Tara.

“Oh, please. You don’t spoil me.”

“Honey, that diamond necklace you’re wearing says otherwise,” Tina says, and the entire table erupts in laughter.

“How do you know he gave it to me?” Tara challenges.

“Who else would put up with you? You’re awful.” Tara tries to push him away, but he wraps an arm around her shoulders and pulls her closer. When he kisses her temple, she leans into him and sighs at the contact. “I’m doing the world a favor. I keep her close so that no one else has to deal with her.”

“Oh, is that it?” Tina asks with a laugh.

“How about one more round of champagne?” I flag the waiter down and ask for champagne for the remaining guests. “I hope it’s to your liking, Diane. I think you mentioned something about a champagne lifestyle once. Or do you prefer beer? I can’t remember exactly.” Mel puts her face in my bicep and giggles. My eyes light up when I see a look of irritation cross Diane’s face, but she only offers a fake smile.

“I never knew I deserved to be spoiled,” Mel says. I offer her another spoonful, but she shakes her head. She smiles at me, but it’s a tentative one. She reaches over and runs a hand through my hair, and her eyes fill with tears.

“Happy tears,” she whispers.

“I have the feeling that Mellie and Adam have an epic story,” Tara says.

“She told us Adam was her neighbor.” After making that statement, Elizabeth looks at us and says, “But I know there’s more.”

“My daughter has been very tight-lipped about their courtship. All I know is, I came to town, and she announced she was married,” Diane says.

Mel’s lips purse, but she doesn’t give her mother her usual sharp retort.

“Oh, did Mellie tell you that herself, Diane?” William asks. Diane ignores William, so he says, “Did I tell you how nice you look tonight?” The entire table quiets down.

“Thank you.” Mel’s mother runs a shaky hand through her hair and smiles.

“Your stylist did a better job of hiding your horns this time.” I try to stifle my laugh but can’t. “And red is definitely your color. Yours and Satan’s.”

“Do we have to show everyone our dysfunction?” Jason asks.

“Where’s your much younger girlfriend, William? Did she leave you already?” Diane asks. “Every woman eventually leaves you, don’t they?”

“You’d love that, wouldn’t you? You’d love for me to be as miserable as you are. But, no, she’s working. You remember what it’s like to have a job, don’t you? But I’ll tell Jennifer you asked for her. You’ll see her soon, though. She’s doing Mellie’s hair for her wedding. And I left you, sweetheart. Let’s not rewrite history.”

“Dad’s on fire tonight,” Mel whispers in my ear.

“Remind me never to get on your dad’s bad side, Mellie,” Ananda says.

Tara looks around the table, her mouth hanging open in shock.

---