Later, Mrs. Henderson recognized me. Her sister had once bought a shop from one of my buildings.
“Hazel Vorhees?” she said. “What are you doing here?”
“My son is married to Camille,” I answered.
Mrs. Henderson immediately understood who I was.
Camille hurried over and tightened her hand on my arm.
“Marjorie,” she said, “you’ve met Theo’s sweet little mother.”
Mother-in-lawgifts
Mrs. Henderson frowned. “Camille, do you know who your mother-in-law is?”
Camille laughed.
“She’s a sweet old woman who lives in a little ranch house and brings casseroles to parties. Don’t make her feel important.”
The room went quiet.
I placed my water glass on the marble counter.
“Camille,” I said, “could you show me to the door? I think I’ll go home.”
She snapped at Theo, “Please get this embarrassment out of my house before the Hendersons see any more.”
That sentence ended something in me.
Theo followed me outside, pale and apologizing.
I held his hand for a second.
“I love you, honey,” I said. “Go back inside. Take care of your wife.”
