After we digested everything, we tried to forget what Emma's parents had said. I went over to Adam and hugged him. He said, "I'm not giving up on her." I replied that I knew. I invited him to go watch a show.
It was a somewhat quiet day. I was also a little anxious about dinner. At 6:30 PM, I went to get ready to wait for them. I tried to look as nice as possible for a casual dinner at home.
Hanna was very punctual. I saw her car park exactly at the time my dad had set. I watched from my bedroom window and went downstairs to greet them. My dad, Mrs. Ruth, and Adam were waiting. When my dad opened the door, I noticed Hanna's look at him… they seemed so close, yet somehow distant. My dad said:
"Come in."
Amber timidly held her mother's hand; she seemed shy. Chad and Will greeted everyone. My dad picked up Amber and lifted her. She gave a small smile.
"Wow, what a beautiful girl! What's your name?"
She shyly said her name. He then put her down and smoothed her hair.
"You look a lot like your mother. After dinner, we'll play, okay?"
She smiled. Chad and I kept watching each other from a distance.
Hanna said, "Luck, thank you for having us. I thought you didn't recognize me that day, that's why I didn't approach much."
He greeted her with a hug and said, "Of course I recognized you."
I felt embarrassed… could it be where they knew each other from? I had never asked Mrs. Cooper's age, but she seemed about the same age as my dad.
"Let's go to the dining room, the appetizer will be ready."
We all walked to the table. Chad sat next to me, across from Adam. Chad whispered to Adam while everyone got settled:
"Don't worry, buddy. It's going to be fine."
Chad sighed and gave a nod. He seemed sad. We hadn't been able to talk to Emma during the afternoon; it seemed her parents had taken her phone.
While eating the potato skins, we chatted a little. I could really tell that my dad and Hanna had known each other for a long time. I couldn't resist asking:
"Dad, how did you meet? Has it been a long time?"
Hanna looked at my dad with an enigmatic glance, she seemed uncomfortable. He quickly replied:
"Sweetie, Hanna used to date your uncle Alex."
We all looked at her. She said:
"Yes, we were all friends back then. Your dad was a little younger, but he was always around us."
I couldn't hide my surprise at that.
"Mrs. Hanna, when did he…"
My dad interrupted me:
"Sweetie, that's all that can be said for now. It's a long story, an adult conversation."
"Okay," I said.
Will then commented, "Maybe it would have been better if she had married him, right? Maybe that would have been better than that other man."
Hanna said, "Son, now is not the time for that."
We tried to change the subject, but I could see in Will's eyes how much he despised his father.
After some time, dinner was served: pulled pork sandwiches, which were amazing; everyone loved them. And afterward, ice cream — which Amber of course loved.
Then we went to the living room to play Uno. It was so much fun. Chad and I tried to stay as close as possible, but we had to hold back. Will was nice, he got along so well with Adam.
At one point we were distracted; Will came over to me. Chad and Adam were busy playing video games.
"Mia, I heard my mom and your dad agree to talk in the office."
I replied, "It must be an adult conversation."
"And you don't want to know?"
I smiled at him.
"Of course I want to."
He said, "Then we'll find out."
"How?"
"Where's the office? I'll leave my phone hidden there recording."
I widened my eyes. He said, "I'm serious. Tell me where. And don't tell Chad; he's too proper, he won't agree."
I thought for a few seconds. I considered saying no, but curiosity won. So I showed him where it was. Will waited for a moment of distraction and went there. No one besides me saw him go.
As he had said, a few minutes passed and my dad and Mrs. Cooper went to the office. Meanwhile, we kept playing charades.
Amber laid down on the sofa at one point. I went over and asked if she was okay.
"I'm sleepy."
I then rested her head on my lap and started stroking her hair — it was so soft. She eventually fell asleep. Chad came over and said:
"She's spoiled."
I smiled.
"She's so cute."
"She likes you."
I just smiled. I really wanted to kiss him, but we couldn't.
I then asked, "Chad, aren't you curious to know more about…"
He interrupted me:
"Mia, your dad already said it's an adult conversation. When they're comfortable, they'll talk."
I outwardly agreed, of course… but deep down, Will was right.
My dad and Hanna spent about ten minutes in the office and then came out. Hanna said:
"Wow, Amber's already asleep. We have to go."
Chad then picked her up. I looked at Will. He quickly said:
"Can I go to the bathroom?"
"Of course."
"Chad, let's go, I'll help you get Amber in the car."
My dad and Adam also went with us to the car. Will appeared. I looked at him. As I said goodbye, I whispered to him asking if it worked. He said yes and that he would send me the recording as soon as possible.
We said goodbye to everyone and went inside. When I got to my room, I said goodnight to everyone and started going upstairs. My dad said:
"What's the rush?"
"I'm sleepy, Dad."
"And my kiss?"
I ran and gave him a kiss. Adam was also going upstairs. My dad said:
"Adam, I want to talk to you. Let's go to the office."
He went with my dad.
I ran to my room. I waited for Will's invitation on some social media since he didn't have my number. Ten minutes passed. He then sent the invite and asked for my number. I quickly sent it. We started talking. I asked him to send it quickly.
He said: "No way. You're not listening before me. I'm still in the car."
I sighed, trying to control my anxiety.
After another ten minutes, he finally sent the recording an audio of almost 20 minutes. I hit play quickly and, of course, at the beginning there was nothing yet since they hadn't entered the office. I was listening until I heard a strange noise outside.
I ran, looked quickly out the window; I only saw someone in a black hoodie, back turned. I opened the window, and when it made a sound, he quickly turned toward me.