I send back a kissy-face emoji anddropmy phone in my bag. WithCharlie'sencouragement, I took the plunge and dyed hotpinkstreaks in my hair. Everyone loves it, especially me. But I brace myself for what my mother will say.
I don't have to wait long to find out. She's lying by the pool when I enter the backyard, and Iwalkover to the chaise tokissher hello.
"My God,Palmer. What did you do to your hair?"Shesitsup and inspects the colored locks."It's temporary, right?"
"If you mean, will it eventually grow out? Then sure, it's temporary."I look around."Where's Dad? I want to give him his gift."
She clicks hertongue."Honestly,Palmer. I don't know how you expect to find someone respectable. Your father is in the back trying out his new set of putters."
Iwalkout past the pool to the end of the property, where Dad had aputtinggreen put in near the treeline."Happy Father's Day, Dad."
He sinks a shortshotand smiles at me."Palmer. Glad you could make it. Come give your old dad a hug."
We embrace and when hepullsback, he squints at me."Something's different."
I lift apinkstrand."I dyed my hair."
"No,"he says, tilting his head. He tucks his new putter under his arm."I mean, I'm sure that's true. But something else. You look–"
"Tired? Blotchy?"I gesture to the gauzy palepinksundress I chose for today."Too pale?"
"Content."Hegivesme a warm smile and drapes an arm around me."Walkme back to the house. I have to change before the Wainwrights arrive."
"Mom didn't mention they were coming,"I say.
"We've become good friends. They're good people. That son of theirs is an outstanding young man."
I roll my eyes."Please don't tell me you're helping Mom fix us up."
"Wouldn't dream of it,"he laughs."That's your mother's domain."
Wewalkinto the kitchen and while he takes out two beers, one for each of us, I extract the Father's Day card from my bag. He slides me abottleand I hand over the card.
"I got you something. I thought you might want it now."
"Thankyou, sweetheart,"he says, opening the envelope. Hepullsout the card and opens it, removing the paper inside."What's this?"
"A private reservation at The Barn,"I say."I heard Mom say you were having trouble getting a reservation anytime soon."
"How did you manage this?"heasks.
I tip thebottleto my lips and take a sip."I have connections."
My connection beingCharlie, of course, who calledMissAnnabelle on my behalf and was able to secure a reservation for four next Friday night at the Chef's Table. My parents and their guests, probably the Wainwrights, will have a front-row view of everything happening in the kitchen, plus access to a special menu.
He hugs me and plants a smackingkisson my cheek."This is wonderful. Your mother will flip."
"Jeff,Palmer!"my mother calls from the back."The Wainwrights are here."
I take Dad'sbeerfor him while he grabs a tray from the refrigerator with steaks and vegetable kabobs to be cooked. We head outside to greet the guests. I haven't spoken to or seenBoonesince thedinnerparty, but it's like we're old friends. I exchange aquickhug with him and accept cheekkissesfrom his parents. It's weird to see my parents interact with the Wainwrights. Patsy and Ned are just as well-off as we are, but so much more down-to-earth. It's rubbing off on my parents.
"Ned, want to help me with the grill?"My dad pats his friend on the back and the two of them get busyputtingthe steaks on.
"Elaine, you have to see the sketches the interior designer came up with for the new houses,"Patsy says, joining my mother at the table under the umbrella.
"Can I get you abeer?"I askBoone.
"Sure."I lead him into the kitchen and open a coldbottlefrom the fridge."It's an IPA, hope that's all right. My dad loves the local brewers and it's pretty much all he drinks during the summer."
