“I am so sorry,” he says.“It’s all right. Really.” Will stands from the table. “It’s only water.”“I hope it’s not a bad omen,” Will’s father says wryly, a joke, although not the kind he makes ordinarily.“Oh no,” the maître d’ says, having rushed over. “No no no. We will make it into a good one.” He sends the waiter away, returns with two glasses on a tray. “An auspicious Pinot Noir,” he says, his expression indicating that the wine is at least expensive, if not lucky. “Very auspicious. With our apologies.”Will sits back down. “Nice restaurant,” he says. “Too nice.” He gestures at the extravagantly appointed room beyond the table. “Is this an occasion of some sort?”“No occasion. Figured it might be fun.” Will’s father takes a sip and puts his glass down. “Truth is, I’m going back upstate. Wanted us to go out on a bang.” He fiddles with the knot in his tie, adjusting it around the unfamiliar confines of a snugly buttoned collar.
