“I’ll set the table,” I said.

I walked into the dining room and opened the glass hutch.

I took out four porcelain plates with painted blue rims and set them carefully on the lace tablecloth.

I laid out the silver forks and knives in perfect lines.

I wanted to believe Eleanor was right.

At exactly one o’clock, a silver sedan turned into our driveway.

I watched through the front window as Mark parked.

He stepped out in a tailored gray wool coat and a burgundy scarf and opened the back door for Emma.