Mother smiled.
“Mother tells us you’re in the jewelry business. Is that what you always wanted to do?” I asked.
“I thought I was going to be governor,” he said. “No. My father started the business, and I expanded it after he passed away.”
“Why didn’t you expand it when he was still alive?” Haylee asked.
He laughed. “Dad was somewhat reluctant to make changes or take chances,” he said. He looked at Mother. “These two are bright and not shy.”
“They’re far more mature than other girls their age,” she said. “And most important, t
hey’re dependable.”
“I can see why you’re very proud,” Darren said, and sipped his drink. “It’s not easy when there are two working at it, from what I see.”
“No, it wasn’t easy on my own.” Mother made it sound as if Daddy had died years and years ago.
“How long were you married?” Haylee asked.
“Nearly ten years,” he said, and then took a longer sip on his drink, as if the answer drove him to it.
“How come you don’t have any children?” Haylee quickly followed, sounding like a prosecutor in a courtroom.
I thought Mother would be angry at her pointed question, but she still looked pleased.
“It didn’t work out for us,” he replied. “And as it turns out, that was a good thing.”
“Mother says you play the piano,” I said, rushing to change the subject.
“I tinker a bit.”
“We’d love to hear you play,” I said.
“Oh, well, you have to lower your expectations.”
“That’s easy. We have none,” Haylee said.
“In that case, I’ll do it,” he said, rising and going to the piano.
Mother looked even more pleased, her eyes dazzling. We rose, too, and the three of us gathered around the piano.
“I’m not up on modern songs,” he warned. “But this is a favorite through time.”
I had heard the song, but I didn’t know the title. Haylee looked uninterested, but when she saw my face, she brightened quickly. Suddenly, Mother sang a line, in French, and Darren sang another. When he finished, they laughed.
“I’ve heard it,” I said. “But I don’t know the title.”
“It’s ‘La vie en rose’ by Edith Piaf,” Mother said. “You’ve heard it because it was your father’s and my wedding song. Actually, I chose it. Your father wasn’t into wedding songs. That should have given me a hint.”
“It’s always been one of my favorites,” Darren said. He finished his drink and rose.
“Everything is ready for you to warm up for dinner,” Mother told us. She took Darren’s glass and brought hers and his to the kitchen. We followed them.
“All set, then?” Darren asked her.
“Yes,” Mother said.
“Enjoy your evening,” I said.