Relative Happiness by Lesley Crewe Read Free Book Online Page A

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Chapter Three
    Lexie’s mother had gone all out for the dinner party. The dining room table was a thing of beauty. But then, so was everything in her home. She enjoyed entertaining and did it with style. Some of her acquaintances called her Queenie behind her back, and she knew it, but the joke was on them, as they were the ones who begged for an invitation or were first to arrive at Cynthia’s famous brunches and summer teas.
    Lexie walked into the kitchen with her meringue and fresh strawberries. “Is this guy royalty?”
    â€œHe’s Gabby’s Prince Charming.”
    Lexie made a face.
    Cynthia spooned chow and pickles into a crystal dish. “Where’s your young man?”
    â€œMother, he’s not my young man. He’s not young, he’s not mine and—”
    â€œWell, I hope he’s a man.”
    â€œActually he’s not. His nickname is Fruit Loops.”
    â€œReally?”
    â€œMom, why do you think the only guy who’d live with me would be a flaming fruit? Not that I mind fruit. I love fruit. You made sure of that.”
    â€œDearest, why do you make me out to be the bad guy? I suggested no such thing. You could get a man to live with you. But you have to make the effort.” Cynthia screwed the lids back on the jars and since Lexie insisted on standing like a statue in front of it, pushed past her daughter to get to the fridge.
    â€œWhy don’t you ask your sister for fashion advice? I’m sure she’d get you an appointment with her hairdresser.”
    Lexie crossed her arms. “Which sister are we talking about, Mom? The pretty, the prettier or the prettiest?”
    â€œDon’t start Lexie.”
    Adrian poked his head in the kitchen door. “Are we having fun yet?”
    Mother and daughter gave him a look. He wilted right before their eyes.
    After that first awkward moment, Lexie introduced Adrian to her mom, who was as pleasant as could be once she’d gathered her wits. But at the first opportunity, he escaped into the living room. Lexie didn’t blame him. The people were easier to deal with in there. Beth’s little girls sat on the rug and worked on their puzzle, and he sat on the floor with them. They stared at him with big eyes.
    â€œI’m Adrian. And you are?”
    â€œI’m Michaela,” said Beth’s oldest. She pointed to her sisters. “Brit, Halley and Maddie.”
    Lexie watched Adrian’s reaction. He didn’t turn a hair. He was more polite than she was. Every time she went to the hospital to be introduced to another niece, she’d pray Beth had come to her senses and given them names that weren’t trendy.
    Adrian asked to be introduced to the dolls nearby and the girls all babbled at the same time. She knew he’d be occupied for awhile, so she went to her father’s study. She knocked first.
    â€œCome.”
    She found her dad at his desk. He’d dozed off with his glasses rested on his forehead. He was the kind of person you’d want in an emergency. His hair was a white shade of grey.
    â€œHi Daddy.”
    â€œHi Princess.” This pet name was a source of irritation to Beth, whom he called Baby.
    She sat in the chair opposite him. “Whatcha doin’?”
    â€œKeeping out of your mother’s way.”
    Lexie smiled. “That’s all you ever do.”
    â€œThat’s why I’ve lived to this ripe old age.”
    They sat in silence. She and her father had always been able to do that—enjoy each other and not say a word. She often found refuge in his study when she was growing up. They’d sit and roll their eyes while they listened to the mayhem unfold in the rest of the house. Lexie’s mother and sisters were loud. Never once did it occur to them to walk into a room and ask a question. It was hollered down a stairwell or from the front door.
    On occasion Lexie would hide in her father’s study. A few