Page 29 of WASP

The matriarch of the Dillinger family flitted around the first floor of the home on the end of Jacob’s Lane, bouncing between cater waiters and party staff dressed in all black, doing her final checks before the open house was set to begin. Annie stood in the foyer, pretending to adjust the live pine garland twisted delicately around the banister, attempting to look busy to avoid any last-minute requests for help from her mother.

“Garland’s looking good, Annie,” her dad said, coming down the stairs in an emerald velvet smoking jacket. The one he wore every Christmas. The one she knew her mother secretly despised, but would never say out loud.

“After all these years, I’m practically an expert,” she said dryly.

Her dad chuckled, straightening his gold bowtie in the mirror above the early American accent chest that was usually a catch-all for the family’s belongings, but was now adorned with an elaborate winter scene consisting of porcelain houses.

The front door opened, drawing their attention, but before Annie had a chance to process what was happening, a flash of red hair came at her, tackling her with a hug accompanied by the excited voice of her younger brother.

“Banannie!”

“Austin! What are you—you’re supposed to be in Brazil?” Shock filled her words as her gaze shifted between her brother and her dad when she noticed the figure of a woman standing inside the doorway.

“You made it! And you brought Noémie,” her dad said with a knowing tone Annie couldn’t quite decipher.

“Wait, you knew?” she asked incredulously.

“I’ve lived a long life; you’ll find I know a lot of things.”

“Annie,” Austin interjected, “I want you to meet Noémie.” Annie had seen her brother looking adoringly at a wide number of things over the years, but not quite in the way he was beaming now.

“Hi,” Noémie said, smiling, her French accent slipping through. “It’s wonderful to finally meet you. Austin has told me so much about you.”

“He lies,” Annie deadpanned. “Profusely,” she added, shooting an exaggerated eyeroll at her brother.

“Don’t worry, he only has great things to say about you.” Noémie turned to face their dad. “And Andrew, it’s wonderful to meet you in person.”

“Likewise,” her dad said, stepping forward and giving Noémie a hug. “Austin picked an exciting evening for you to meet everyone.”

“Figured we’re only in town for a week, might as well meet everyone in one go.” Austin smiled, slipping an arm around Noémie, guiding her further into the house where the rest of the Dillingers were gathered in the kitchen.

Annie walked behind Austin, her dad next to her as she muttered under her breath, “Mom has no idea Austin’s here, does she?”

Once again, her dad gave her that knowing look. “He wanted it to be a surprise.”

Surprise was the one thing Annie purposely tried never to catch her mother in. Experience had taught her that surprises with Colleen Dillinger often led to out-of-pocket responses that tended to require apologies later.

“People will start arriving soon,” her mother said, never looking up from the party-planning binder laid out on the kitchen island where Avery, Brett, and Drew were already gathered around her.

A broad smile stretched across Drew and Brett’s faces and Avery crossed her arms, annoyed as Austin tiptoed across the kitchen. His typical antics not the least bit unexpected to any of them.

“Surprise, Mom!” Austin said excitedly.

Her mother jumped, clutching her chest as she spun around. “Aus-what!” she exclaimed, throwing her arms around her youngest. “What are you doing here?”

A part of Annie knew Austin well enough to know how much he loved a spectacle, and loved being at the center of one, so of course this was how he’d resurface after not being stateside for over a year.

“Merry Christmas! I thought the holidays would be a perfect time for everyone to meet Noémie before we get married in a few weeks.”

The room fell silent with the exception of the party staff still moving about, making sure everything was exactly to her mother’s liking. All eyes fell on Colleen as if the room were collectively waiting to see how she would respond.

“Married?” her mom repeated, gaze darting between Austin, who was looking exceptionally pleased with himself, and Noémie, who held up her left hand, a sapphire engagement ring sitting prominently on her ring finger.

Annie looked to her father, still standing next to her. His shocked expression made her feel a little bit better that he too had been left in the dark. The silence persisted for a moment longer before Annie couldn’t take it anymore.

“Oooh,” Annie squealed excitedly, “let me see the ring!” She stepped toward Noémie, placing a reassuring hand on her arm, squeezing gently as if to say, Welcome to the shitshow family; are you sure you want this? “Damn, at least he did a good job with the ring. This thing is gorgeous.” She inspected the sparkling gems more closely. It really was beautiful, one solitaire emerald-cut sapphire flanked by two smaller diamonds on either side. “I can’t wait to hear all about the proposal.”

Before anyone else could speak, one of the catering staff popped her head into the kitchen. “Mrs. Dillinger, the first of your guests has arrived.”