Garrett. Fifty-three years had passed, and yet that smirk was intact, just like in high school. They laughed until they cried, standing between the brownies and the pitcher of iced tea. He offered her a coffee, she asked that he add a slice of pie "if you feel like it". The next day, her friend Marlene didn't give her a second of respite. Of course.
Six months of weekly dates later, Garrett rang her doorbell with a proposal and the promise of a ring. Eleanor said yes. Not for the big house, nor for the fortune of which his children murmured. She said yes because she saw the boy who was driving her home in the rain.
Façade smiles and looks that fool no one
The engagement dinner at Garrett's had set the tone. Margaret, the girl, had hugged her without a hint of sincerity. Daniel, the son, had held out his hand to her as to a complete stranger. "Nice to meet you," the daughter-in-law said, with a smile and eyes of stone.
