Henry walked into the apartment without waiting for permission, his expensive suit looking completely out of place in the modest living room.
"Helena, I need to talk to you," he said, ignoring the obvious tension in the room.
"This is not a good time," Helena replied through gritted teeth.
"It's never a good time with you."
I could feel the awkwardness in the air. The warm family atmosphere from moments before had completely evaporated.
"I'm so sorry about this, Mrs. Layla," Helena said, turning to me with embarrassment written all over her face. "I had no idea he was coming."
"It's okay, Helena. I should probably go anyway."
"No, you don't have to leave because of him."
"Really, it's fine. Thank you for dinner. It was lovely."
As I gathered my purse and moved toward the door, Henry's voice stopped me. "My dry cleaning bill was five hundred and eighty-five dollars and sixty-five cents. I'll be sending you the receipt."
"You're unbelievable."
