Chapter 55: Come Home for Dinner

“Well, if they’re both okay with it, I don’t mind. Besides, I’ve watched Jared grow up since he was a little boy. It wasn’t entirely his fault he was sent to jail,” Chloe said, entering the house with a bowl of soup. “I made this myself. Have a taste!”

Jared was surprised to see her. “Mrs. Wallace?” He took the bowl.

Ever since moving to Horington when Jared was a teenager, the Chance and Wallace families had been close neighbors.

Hannah stood, pulling Chloe to sit. “You’re too kind, Mrs. Wallace! I’ve watched Hilda grow up too. She’s a smart, beautiful young lady. It would be wonderful to be in-laws!”

Chloe chirped, “Hannah, I’d be thrilled if Hilda married Jared. After all, she’s my only child. I need her to take care of me in the future, so I don’t want her far away. I’ll call her now and ask her to come home for dinner.” She clearly approved of Jared.

“Sounds great!” Hannah beamed. “I heard Hilda found a well-paying job.”

“Yes, but she seldom comes home,” Chloe said, picking up her phone. She called Hilda, who answered sleepily, “Mom, I was asleep. Why are you calling?”

Chloe was confounded. “It’s afternoon! Why are you sleeping? Don’t you need to work?”

Hilda replied hastily, “I’m working overtime tonight, so I napped. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Jared’s been released from prison, so I thought you could come home for dinner,” Chloe said.

“Mom, I’m busy. Maybe another day,” Hilda said, hanging up.

Chloe’s face flushed.

Hannah, worried Chloe would be angry, said, “It’s okay, Mrs. Wallace. If Hilda’s busy, we can arrange another time.”

Chloe sighed. “Kids have their own ideas once they get older.”

Chloe stayed until evening. Jared, with nothing to do, was about to go for a walk when Tommy called, inviting him to dinner. He almost declined, but then decided to go, figuring Chloe would likely stay for dinner and join his parents in teasing him.

Tommy offered to pick him up, but Jared refused, calling a taxi instead.

Horington had boomed while Jared was in jail. On his way to the restaurant, he saw numerous bars and nightclubs, the city bustling.

Near the Moonlight Bar, the taxi passed a familiar figure: Hilda, elegantly dressed, entering the bar with several other young women.

Jared frowned. Didn’t she say she had to work overtime? Why is she at a bar? Does she work there?

He paid the taxi, got out, and followed Hilda into the bar.