“They were green and yellow.”
Several guests exchanged confused looks.
Amber laughed too quickly.
“Sweetheart, I think you’re remembering the company picnic. Mr. Marcus brought candy for everyone’s children.”
Marcus nodded immediately. “That’s right. We handed out candy bags that day.”
Noah shook his head. “It was here.”
“I think you’re remembering the company picnic.”
He pointed toward the hallway.
“He brought them here.”
“Here?” I asked.
“Yeah.”
“When?”
“When it was dark.”
“He brought them here.”
Amber let out a small, breathy laugh that sounded more like a cough.
“Noah, sweetie,” she said quickly, “I think you had a dream. Remember we talked about dreams feeling real sometimes?”
Noah looked genuinely confused.
“It wasn’t a dream, Mommy.”
“Buddy,” I said carefully, “Mr. Marcus has never been here before tonight.”
Noah looked from me to Marcus. “Then why did Mommy tell me not to wake you up?”
“I think you had a dream.”
My mother set down her fork.
Lisa exchanged a glance with Tom.
In the kitchen, the icemaker dropped a fresh batch with a sound that made everyone flinch.
I stared at Amber, then at Marcus.
One secret visit.
Maybe there was an explanation.
