review

The kids were immediately off and running. But for at least a very long 1o seconds, as I sat with the Lily's parents after they first arrived, I literally had nothing to say. Me! I'm not sure that has ever happened before. It was my husband that came to the rescue when he came back and poured some wine.... 45 minutes later, the chicken, a reliable crowd pleaser in the past, came out of the oven in an unrecognizable state. It was not its crunchy-on-the-outside self and seemed more - to my horror - slimy. And then when I took a bite of broccoli, it was way too salty. None of the food was outright bad, but it just wasn't great.... and these were dishes I could make in my sleep and never had any problems with before.

Everyone was nice. Everyone smiled. For 4 hours and until late we talked and talked, and when they got ready to leave, Lily did not want to go. Did I feel any of the much anticipated relief after this get together? Actually, I did not know what to think. I couldn't figure out if it was really fun even though we all said it was. Thinking it over, I really felt no better than before.

At one point in the evening, we talked about beautiful places on the Hudson river. Lily's mom turned to her husband and said 'we should go to [this place on the Hudson where there are outdoor plays and families bring picnic dinners]' and then proceeded to explain to us what it was all about. Did she mean 'they' should go, or 'we' as in our families? 

Another time, Lily's mom mentioned that they'd have us over for a barbeque. It was nice and she sounded sincere, but for some reason, I just wasn't sure. I don't know what it is about this relationship but there is a layer of something I really can't figure out at all. 

My husband pointed out later. Gimky, I don't blame them for keeping their distance and I'd do the same in their position. This friendship between Lily and Belac, how long is it really going to last? At one point things will probably change. She might come to find Belac a burden. Look how attached he is to her, it's already too much and smothering.... They're right to keep a distance given the circumstances. 

All things considered, the evening went as well as it could.

Food: 7/1o
Kids behavior: 9/1o
Conversation: 8/1o
Ambiance: 8/1o
Effort: 1o/1o