PART 2

On Sunday, I prepared pot roast. At five o’clock, Rose arranged the plates. At six, May covered the food with aluminum foil to keep it warm. At seven, June glanced at the clock.

“Grandpa, stop reheating it.”

“She said she would come.”

“Then she can eat it cold.”

I removed the roast from the oven and placed it on the counter.

Lisa finally knocked on the door nearly two hours later. When I opened it, she stood on the porch looking polished and perfectly composed, as though arriving that late was entirely normal.

“Hello, Dad.”

I stared at her.

“You’re two hours late.”

“The traffic was terrible.”

June leaned against the doorway.

“For two hours?”

Lisa’s smile tightened.

“I didn’t realize I was being judged.”

“You’re not,” I said. “But dinner became cold while we waited.”

She stepped inside and looked around the kitchen.

“It’s charming that you kept everything so simple.”

She sat at the table like an important guest expecting better service. Rose poured water, May passed the bread, and June remained silent. Lisa spoke first.

“You girls are beautiful. Look at you. My daughters.”

Rose carefully lowered the pitcher.

“You can call us by our names.”

Lisa blinked.

“Of course. Rose, May, and June.”

I looked directly at her.

“Why are you here now?”

“I already explained. I want to rebuild our relationship.”

“After twenty years?”

“I was young.”

I leaned forward.

“You were old enough to carry your purse out of the hospital and say three daughters would prevent you from marrying well.”

May spoke softly.

“Grandpa.”

But I kept my eyes on Lisa.

“Why now?”

She dabbed her mouth with a napkin.

“Because people ask questions.”

Rose’s expression changed.

“What people?”

“People in my social circle. My husband’s friends. They notice certain things.”

June’s voice turned cold.

“What things?”

Lisa sighed impatiently.

“They notice that my daughters are not part of my life. It looks strange.”

The entire room became silent.

“So this is about your reputation,” I said.

“It isn’t wrong to want peace.”

June gave a bitter laugh.

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