Page 59 of The Wedding Favor

“I’m only nine. I’m not allowed to have a phone yet.”

“Good. Kids these days don’t need to be on all those gadgets. When I was your age…”

“And who is this beautiful little creature?” Gloria interrupted what was sure to be a rant of epic proportions.

Hallie’s mouth dropped open at the sight in front of her. Gloria was dressed in gold from head-to-toe, earrings and shoes included. Her blouse had a row of bedazzled fringe along the hem that sparkled when the light caught it. The same fringe lined a scarf which she’d tied around her head, one end longer than the other and draped over her shoulder. If her intention was to look as though a fortune teller and a disco ball had a baby, she’d nailed it.

“This is quite the outfit,” I said. She’d once told me her goal was to never wear the same clothes twice for the rest of her life and she was not kidding.

Gloria preened. “This old thing? I was feeling especially bright today.”

“I see.”

“Now, tell me who you are, darling?”

Hallie clutched my hand, her palm sweaty. “I’m Hallie.”

Gloria smiled. “Oh, I’m so glad to meet you. I am Gloria. I’ve heard so many things about you and your father. You must come sit next to me and we can get to know each other.”

With a sigh of resignation, I turned to Hallie. “You don’t have to sit next to the weird woman if you don’t want to, Hal.”

Gloria winked down at Hallie. “I’m the good kind of weird.” She patted the huge purse on her shoulder. “I also have loads of candy to share.”

Hallie tugged on my hand. “I want to sit with Miss Gloria.”

“Yes, Hallie, go with the stranger so she can give you candy.” I leaned in and whispered in Gloria’s ear. “Don’t you dare drill her for information, you old gossip.”

She stamped one of her gold shoe-clad feet. “I am not old; I am wise.”

I bit back a smile as Hallie trailed behind Gloria toward a table, the two already giggling.

Abe arrived around seven thirty as I was in the middle of refereeing a very intense argument.

Mr. Terrance was red-faced and waving his arms around like one of those giant, blow-up figures in front of a car dealership. He was also wearing a hat that said OH 69—classy, I know. “I said BINGO first. I yelled it clear as day.”

“You did not.” Mrs. Glass tugged on her neon-green shirt—it read BINGO, BABY! She was also red-faced and shooting a fierce glare at Mr. Terrance. Could we say unresolved sexual tension? She pointed to the man sitting next to her. “Greg, tell him I said it first.”

Greg looked like he wanted to melt into a puddle under the table rather than deal with this. He mumbled something that was inaudible. Not that it mattered because Mr. Terrance had moved onto part two of his strategy. When yelling didn’t work, he apparently liked to clutch his chest and shout, “This is it. The big one is here.”

No one reacted to Mr. Terrance’s declaration. From the corner of my eye, I saw one of the nursing assistants leisurely striding in his direction, her expression more annoyed than concerned.

Mrs. Glass threw her hands up. “Thank the sweet Lord. It’s about time. That means I won then, right?”

“Alright, alright.” I rubbed my forehead. “The big one is not here, and I declare this round a tie.”

“Does this mean we both won or we both lost?” Mrs. Glass asked.

“Yeah, we can have a first winner and a second winner.” He poked a finger in his chest. “I’ll be first winner.”

And they were off again. Maybe I should lock the two of them in a room for the night. See what happened?

The whole room groaned. My eyes darted for the nearest exit. But they found Abe instead, arms crossed, leaning against the door jamb, grinning at the scene before him. I would have been amused too, if I hadn’t been the one who was supposed to be in charge here.

But then Gloria stepped in and made it worse. “Hallie darling, is that your father?”

She said it loud enough and with such feeling, it was as though she was auditioning for a very dramatic Broadway play. Half the room turned to see where she was pointing. Abe straightened and gave an awkward wave. Hallie hopped up and raced to her father. She grabbed his hand and walked him over to Gloria, who was practically vibrating with anticipation.

“Hell-ooo.” Gloria patted her hair. “I’ve heard you were handsome, and you certainly are.”