Page 24 of Size Game
“Mother, this is Claire. She’s our party planner for the evening. Claire, this is my mother, Agatha.”
They shake hands and say hello. Mother tells Claire not to worry about the bags as she takes them to the gifts table herself. Sadie is still running around the room, and I start to wonder if she really needs cake and ice cream. She’s high-strung as it is.
“Is everything okay?”
“This is wonderful. Thank you, Claire.”
I give her a hug that lasts a little longer than intended, but neither of us really seem to mind. A few moments later the first of the guests arrive. In about twenty minutes, everyone and then some have arrived. The children run around the building in a variety of princess-themed costumes.
Claire takes control of the room and asks everyone to be seated for dinner. I’m actually quite surprised that everyone listens and sits at their tables. Then a few moments later, waiters come through serving plates of rather fancy-looking macaroni and cheese with hot dogs. It’s a simple dish, but it looks five-star.
About halfway through dinner, the music starts up and people get onto the dance floor. I keep an eye on Sadie to make sure she’s happy, but as long as she is, I don’t really care if she’s running about. More and more people get on the dance floor, and Claire makes her rounds.
I stand against a wall near the cake and can’t help but watch as she moves gracefully around the room. She has a cute black dress on that is tight up top and flowing below. There’s a large hot pink ribbon tied around the waist in a large bow and a matching ribbon in her hair. The dress is nothing spectacular, but on her it’s a wondrous sight to behold.
Sadie runs up to me begging for the cake to be next. I can’t say no to her. I motion to Claire, who smiles and nods. She announces the cake cutting, and children start lining up to get a piece of cake. I cut Sadie the first slice and hand her the plate. She runs off to her seat and eats it happily.
Claire comes over to help me serve the children as they bounce impatiently for their plate. There are a few moments when I swear she glances at me, but I can’t exactly do anything about it right now. I want to say something, but that would be inappropriate.
I hand out my last slice and look over to see her finishing up too. She looks so comfortable and happy interacting with the kids. I can’t help but smile at her. She stands with a big grin on her lips. Then she looks over at me, and I quickly turn away, afraid that I may have been staring too long.
She takes a slice for herself and goes to chat with the DJ. I slowly savor my own piece of cake, and my mother comes over to stand beside me.
“Tell me, Alex. What’s uh… what’s going on between you and this party planner, Claire?”
I nearly choke on my cake. “What do you mean?”
“Really? You’re going there? All right.” She takes in a deep breath. “Your eyes have been glued to her like a lion on the prowl. What’s going on?”
I cough, actually choking this time. “There’s nothing going on. She’s just—I just hired her.”
“You’re a terrible liar. Don’t lie to your mother.”
I try and try to tell her that there’s nothing going on between us but to no avail. She thwarts my every attempt.
“I know it was hard on you, losing Mary, but I think it would be good for you to get back out there. You’re doing well. Sadie is growing up and almost in kindergarten. You’ll have some more free time.
“And that girl there, she’s a good-looking one. She clearly has a way with kids. She’s successful and seems to have her eye on you too.”
“Mother…”
“What? I’m just telling it like it is.”
I’m saved by Sadie running over to the large table overflowing with presents with her hands outstretched ready to snatch the first thing her fingers touch. I excuse myself and go to the table to act as servant, handing my girl her presents. Claire and a waiter help gather any wrapping paper, ribbons, and packaging.
My mother sits with Sadie and helps her with the stubborn bows and boxes. Sadie rips through all the paper and tears open any boxes in her way. Each present that is revealed is met with a wide-eyed smile, a big hug, and a genuine thank-you.
Claire looks up at me from her post with a soft smile, and I smile back. Our eyes meet and her cheeks turn as pink as her ribbon. I chuckle to myself, knowing full well that my cheeks have done the same. I don’t think Mother noticed, but I can’t be sure.
After a while, the presents are all opened and any toys that were received have been removed from their packaging. Sadie and the other children are now playing with everything and having a grand old time. The parents and other adults lounge at the tables while waiters bring them glasses of wine and other mixed drinks.
I do my best to avoid another awkward conversation with Mother, but she’s a sly one and manages to corner me.
“How’d you meet her?”
“I hired her. She’s a party planner.”
“I mean before that.”