“Now.”
A voice came from the hallway.
“What exactly are you giving away?”
Everyone turned.
Walter Carter stood in the doorway.
Seventy-one.
Broad-shouldered despite age.
Short gray hair.
Dark striped sweater.
Brown trousers.
In his right hand hung a colorful gift bag printed repeatedly with HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
The smile he had entered with was gone.
He looked at Miles.
Then Renee.
Then Darius.
Then the new Nike sneaker in Renee's hand.
Walter's expression changed.
“Where did you get those?”
Nobody answered.
Walter stepped into the kitchen.
“Renee.”
She exhaled.
“Walter, not today.”
“Where did you get those shoes?”
Miles looked toward the box.
“They were my birthday present.”
Walter's eyes moved to him.
“You opened that box?”
Miles nodded.
Walter put the birthday bag slowly onto the floor.
“Who gave it to you?”
Miles glanced at Renee.
“It was here.”
Walter looked at her.
She crossed her arms.
“You dropped it off yesterday.”
Walter's jaw tightened.
“Yes.”
Miles frowned.
“Grandpa bought them?”
Walter stared at the shoes.
“No.”
The room went quiet.
Miles blinked.
“What?”
Walter looked at him.
“I didn't buy those.”
Renee's face changed.
Darius pulled his foot away from the sneaker as though it had suddenly become hot.
Miles stared.
“Then who did?”
Walter looked toward Renee.
She knew.
Miles saw it.
His stomach turned.
“Mom?”
Renee swallowed.
Walter's voice was low.
“Tell him.”
She shook her head.
“Walter.”
“Tell your son where those shoes came from.”
Miles's heartbeat became painfully loud.
Darius removed the sneaker completely and placed it on the floor.
“Mom?”
Renee closed her eyes.
Walter reached into the empty Nike box.
He moved the tissue paper aside.
Then frowned.
“Where's the envelope?”
Renee looked away.
Walter stared.
“Renee.”
“What envelope?”
Miles asked.
Nobody answered.
Walter's voice sharpened.
“There was a cream envelope beneath the shoes.”
Renee said:
“I took it out.”
Miles looked at her.
“Why?”
“It was private.”
“For who?”
Renee said nothing.
Walter almost laughed.
“For the boy whose name was written on it.”
He extended his hand.