She also gives this new rendition of the rambling white house that is Gendy Scoops a pass on not being a nut-free facility, and, citing the need for historical reference, orders the traditional banana split after seeing another come through the takeout window. To look at her eating it, you’d think she’d never had ice cream before. But then, it isn’t only ice cream. It’s banana. And one scoop each of Heath bar crunch, cookies and cream, and mint chocolate chip, her three slightly nontraditional choices. And caramel sauce and crushed peanuts. And whipped cream. And a cherry. She eats the whole thing herself, refusing to give me more than a taste.

Dad is preoccupied eating a single scoop of strawberry ice cream with his plastic spoon, one engrossed bite at a time.

Anne and Bill share a hot fudge sundae.

And me? I’m on a wild ride down memory lane, first studying the menu, which hasn’t changed, then admiring the sweet, round white table where we sit under a sea green umbrella in the lingering light of day. I have a chocolate frappe, my usual back then, and snap pictures with my phone until Joy grabs it and slides it under her thigh, which is what I often do with her phone when it outstays its welcome at dinner.

Unfortunately, it is still beneath her leg when it vibrates, which means that she is the one to pull it out and read the text on the screen. Aloud.

Talked with PI. Where are you?

Chapter 14

Talked with PI. Where are you?

Joy looks at me. She has seen who sent the text and is curious. “PI? Like, private investigator? What’s Jack talking about?”

What to say? What to say? I draw a blank, then scramble for an excuse. Joy isn’t the only one awaiting an answer. There’s Anne and Bill, and likely even Dad, who is looking at me along with the others.

I want to tell the truth, but don’t know what that is. Jack’s talk with Nick White could have been initiated by either one of them. It could be about the PI’s growing affection for Lily. It could be that Nick has learned something from her, which could be about Lily or Elizabeth or Elizabeth’s family or Tom. It could be about something else entirely.

Declaring ignorance is the only thing that may get me off the hook. Of course, it only postpones the inevitable. Everyone here will expect me to ask him and report back to them. I mean, forget texting him back now. I’m sure as hell not doing it with everyone watching. What was he thinking, sending a text like that?

Actually, he was thinking that my phone was in my possession.

Retrieving it from Joy, I tell her, “I have no idea what he’s talking about,” which, of course, isn’t enough for Anne, who looks horrified.