"Hello, Melanie."

"Hi, Mom." I felt my mother's eyes run over my body before fixing me with a look of disapproval.

"Your father says 'hello'. He'll be home from his trip next weekend. Would you bring the kids over for Sunday dinner?"

It wasn't a request, but at least she'd pretended to ask. "Okay. We can do that."

"Good."

The waiter arrived at our little table. "Good afternoon, I'm Bobby, and I'll be taking care of you today. What can I get you ladies? Something to drink?"

"Unsweetened tea, thank you." My mother answered, giving me a significant look that told me not to embarrass her by ordering anything with...