Chapter 6 — The Cedar Room
Daniel looked at the meeting-room reservation.
“Did Mom book that?”
Peter nodded.
“Yes.”
“For us?”
“Only if you agreed.”
Daniel stared at the screen.
The Cedar Room was a small private sitting room near the hotel garden.
No restaurant crowd.
No hotel guests walking through.
No reason for Margaret to enter Daniel’s room.
Neutral.
Controlled.
Exactly the type of meeting Daniel had once said would be necessary if they ever spoke again.
He hated that part of him was impressed.
Another part remained angry.
Eight years could not be repaired because someone booked a quiet room correctly.
Daniel looked toward Oliver.
“What do you think?”
Peter immediately interrupted.
“Oliver shouldn’t have to decide this.”
Daniel looked at him.
Peter continued.
“Whether you speak to your mother is an adult decision.”
“He can have feelings about it.”
“But he shouldn’t feel responsible for choosing.”
Daniel considered that.
Then nodded.
For once, Peter said exactly the right thing.
Daniel crouched beside Oliver.
“You don’t have to decide anything.”
Oliver nodded.
“Okay.”
“And you don’t have to meet Grandma Margaret tonight unless we both decide that’s appropriate.”
Oliver looked curious.
“Is she really upstairs?”
“Yes.”
“Does she know me?”
Daniel hesitated.
“She knows about you.”
“But you haven’t seen her since you were little.”
Oliver thought.
“Does she have pictures?”
Daniel looked toward Peter.
Peter answered:
“Only ones relatives have voluntarily shared with her.”
Daniel’s eyes narrowed.
“Who?”
“Mostly Rachel.”
Daniel sighed.
Another conversation awaited his sister.
But not tonight.
He looked at the clock.
7:38 PM.
The Cedar Room was reserved for eight.
“Call her.”
Peter stared.
“You want to meet?”
Daniel nodded.
“Me.”
Then he looked at Oliver.
“Oliver stays with Claire for the first conversation.”
Claire immediately said:
“Absolutely.”
Peter pulled out his phone.
Before calling, he looked toward Daniel.
“There is one thing Margaret asked me not to tell you unless you agreed to meet.”
Daniel’s face hardened again.
“What now?”
Peter looked toward the elevator.
“She isn’t expecting you to forgive her tonight.”
“She wants to ask you for something much smaller.”
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