Read Online Charade by Barri Bryan - Free Book Online

table with Mother and Ralph."
    Trace followed Ralph who was following Lynn. He gritted his teeth. This was going to be a long evening.

Chapter 9
    Lynn sat in the chair across from her mother and met the older woman's condemning stare. “Hi Mom, imagine seeing you here.” She projected an ease that she didn't feel.
    Lillie's voice rose in indignation. “Lynnie, what have you done to yourself?"
    The scenario she and Trace had rehearsed over and over played through Lynn's head like a scene from a bad movie. “I did my hair and bought a new dress.” She winked at her mother and watched as Lillie grimaced. “Trace likes me to look sexy."
    Before Lillie could reply, Ralph pulled out the chair next to her and sat in it. “Lillie honey, this is my son, Trace."
    Lillie nodded in Trace's direction as he pulled his chair very near Lynn and sat down. “Hello.” Her gaze shifted back to Lynn. “You don't look sexy, you look trashy."
    Trace's reaction to her choice of clothing had been enough to put a sizeable dent in Lynn's self-esteem. Her mother's comment further battered an already bruised ego. She tossed her head, causing the light from a neon sign to sparkle through the rich redness of her hair. “That's a matter of opinion. Trace thinks I look terrific."
    Lillie said with open sarcasm, “Trace is wrong, and not, I imagine, for the first time."
    It wasn't like Lillie to be so openly insulting and judgmental. She usually got her point across through subtle barbs and restrained innuendo. Lynn argued and not very convincingly, “Trace is never wrong.” If you don't believe it, just ask him.
    "Don't argue with your mother,” Lillie said before declaring decisively, “That dress is a disgrace."
    Lynn lapsed into temporary silence. Her mother was right. She knew now, after the fact when it was too late, that she'd made a mistake listening to Ruthie's advice about what to wear tonight.
    Even as she'd bought the slinky red scrap of a dress she'd had doubts. Ruthie assured her, “It's the kind of dress I'd choose if I wanted to look glamorous.” Ruthie with her slim figure and long blonde tresses could have worn this little creation and looked glamorous and seductive. Lynn, with her size thirty-six D breasts and voluptuously full hips looked cheap and shoddy.
    It was too late now to correct her error. She'd have to make the best of a bad situation. Laying her hand on Trace's arm, she smiled into his eyes. “You like my dress, don't you darling?"
    Trace's mouth pulled into a thin-lipped smile. “Sweetheart, you know how I feel about how you look tonight."
    He was supposed to say that she looked very sexy. When they got out of here, she was going to break his neck. The band struck the first chord of a lively polka. Over the sudden noise, she answered, “Of course I do, dear."
    Trace jumped to his feet, and taking Lynn's hand pulled her to a standing position. “You folks don't mind if we get a bite to eat do you?"
    It was difficult to tell which parent had been more surprised by the actions of their children or more relieved to see them temporarily taking their leave. Ralph's face was a thundercloud. “We don't mind if you go and don't come back."
    Lillie looked ready to explode. “Lynn, go yes, please, but remember I want to talk to you later."
    "Yes Mother, later.” Lynn wanted to get away before her mother launched here and now into a lecture about dressing appropriately, decent behavior in public and God only knew what else.
    Trace seemed in no hurry to go anywhere. “Would the two of you like something?"
    In chorus the two parents answered, “No, go."
    Lynn gave Trace's arm a tug. “Come along, darling.” Once out of earshot of Lillie and Ralph, she snapped, “You are not going along with our planned scenario."
    Trace barked in return, “Am too.” They made their way to the snack bar and the back of a short line. The two couples in front of them turned to stare.
    Trace stared back as he moved nearer Lynn and