An Illusion of Trust (Sequel to The Brevity of Roses) by Linda Cassidy Lewis Page B

learned."
    "Indeed, as your husband would say. I'll tell you about it sometime, but right now I need to mingle. When you're rested, come find me, I want to show you off."
    "As what?"
    "A satisfied client, of course."
    "Oh. Then help me up."
    It doesn't take a genius to see right away that Judith's
satisfied client
thing was a ploy to introduce me to the younger crowd here, which means I'm only ten years younger than the women in this group. After introductions, Judith flutters off to make her rounds as perfect hostess. While these five women smile and ask me polite questions, I feel ridiculous, like someone's patronized kid sister.
    "When's your due date?"
    "February twenty-second."
    "Where do you have your gift registry?"
    "Well, I—"
    "Oh, do it at
Les Bébés
, they have gorgeous imported items."
    "Okay."
    "Aren't you the one I've seen driving that adorable pink Jeep around town?"
    "Guilty."
    And on and on. My answers are almost automatic because I'm preoccupied with taking note of their clothes, hair, nails, their posture—not one of them is barefoot. They modulate their voices perfectly; their laughter is like music. I'm so glad I've kept my mouth shut most of the night. No one would have spoken a word to me if I wasn't Jalal's wife.
    I want to go home.
    Seconds later, as if she too has the gift of telepathy, Aza rescues me by saying Kristen is on the phone. "I lied," she whispers as we walk away. "You looked so uncomfortable. I thought you'd welcome an excuse to get away."
    "Bless you."
    "Really though, I've met a couple of them before and they seemed nice. Some of them are mothers of young children, like you."
    "They may be mothers, but they're not like me."
    Aza laughs. "You say the funniest things."
    She delivers me to Jalal and returns to her mysterious man on the couch. Jalal holds me close with a hand at my waist and continues his conversation with Hank and another man for a few minutes. I half-listen as they discuss something about mutual funds. Shoeless or not, my back aches. And I'm sleepy.
    With a jerk, I open my eyes to the three men grinning at me. Oh my god. I drifted off. Jalal's arm is now around my shoulders, and he says, "I think we should find your shoes before our coach turns back into a pumpkin."
    I try to apologize, but Hank waves it off. "Don't give it a thought. Get along home to your bed, little mama."
    Aza's new admirer—"Paul Franklin … nice to meet you"—offers to drive her home, so she stays behind. As Jalal helps me into the car, I wonder if his abundant social graces are enough to cancel out my bumbling introduction to the Coelho social scene.

    Ryan and Jason, on winter break, drove up from school to be here for our Christmas celebration yesterday. Adam is in heaven with three of his grown-up cousins here to play with him. I admit I followed their every move at first. I mean, the guys aren't familiar with our routines and rules like Kristen is. But I've relaxed. They're in the yard playing Adam's favorite chasing game now, and I'm watching through the window.
    "Renee," Jalal says.
    "Mm-hmm?"
    "Renee."
    I turn away from the window. "I just wondered what they were doing now."
    "And two minutes ago and two minutes before that."
    He's right, of course, but at least I'm inside the house, so that's an improvement. Little steps.
    "You can bring him in for lunch and his nap in a few minutes, and after he falls asleep, I would like to take you out for lunch. Just the two of us."
    "What's the occasion?"
    "Nostalgia," he says. "I miss us. It feels like the action has been non-stop since we moved in. Tonight Aza and Paul will be here while the next generation parties in her apartment, and tomorrow afternoon we fly up to visit the multitude known as the rest of my family. I need a little quiet."
    Just as he says the last word, the gang troops in chanting, "We want food."
    I give Jalal a quick kiss. "It's a date."

    This is a new restaurant to me, but then I haven't been to many in Coelho. Judith