Let me in

Chapter 4 : The dinner.

The first thing that goes through Chimney's mind when he comes face to face with the Buckleys is: holy shit.

He doesn't know exactly what he was expecting, but... not that, obviously.

If he had ever been surprised - to put it mildly - to learn that they were a lawyer, a federal judge and super, super rich... He is now captivated by their appearance.

Chimney thinks for a moment that they missed their calling and should have pursued a career in modeling. They look like the famous, rich and perfect couple.
The kind that make the front pages of celebrity magazines and are either the subject of a huge scandal, either a laudatory glorification. In any case; something exaggerated and most probably also unfounded.

Anyway, they are a perfect apology for wealth and its exuberance.

He does his best not to have his thoughts reflected on his face and displays a big smile, just to avoid making everyone uncomfortable before dinner begins.

Lisa Buckley speaks first, pulling Maddie into a delicate embrace.

"Maddie, honey, you look beautiful. Pregnancy suits you." She smiles as she looks down for a moment at her belly, which appears slightly under her dress.

Then she turns to Chimney, and he finds her big evaluating eyes and frozen smile particularly... frightening.

"There you are, Howard. Nathan and I are delighted to meet you." She tells him, drawing him into the same embrace she gave Maddie, short and shallow, before Nathan gives him a strong handshake.

And if he thought their mother was scary, their father was in a completely different way.

"Me too! The pleasure is shared, Mr. and Mrs. Buckley." He replies, trying to hide his nervousness behind a smile.

"Please, call us Lisa and Nathan. We'll be fine." Lisa explains before turning to Buck, who swings his weight back and forth on his feet, a little behind them, far from wanting to hide his annoyance.

She approaches and almost cautiously, she puts a delicate hand on his cheek.

"It's good to see you again, Evan. You've grown so much."

There is a slight silence and Buck must remember that he has come for Maddie and Chimney.

"You're almost catching up to me." He makes an effort to joke around, but it's obvious to everyone that it's forced and far from sincere.

Nathan takes Maddie in his arms and she has to tiptoe around so it doesn't get awkward.

When he releases her and finds himself facing Buck, Chimney is sure that the entire restaurant can feel the tension between the two.

"Evan."

"Dad."

And Chimney can hear the sigh that Buck holds.

After that, they settle down around their table.

Chimney can't tell which of Buckley's parents intimidate him more.

Lisa constantly keeps a frozen smile on her face, as if it had been painted on her lips and she couldn't get rid of it, and even though he's there to look friendly, he looks rather fake and as if he was hiding something. Her voice is slow and crystalline and like everything else in her, controlled. Everything seems superficial, as if nothing is real, as if it's all just a mask to wear when she's in public.

Nathan doesn't bother to pretend. He seems to have an inexpressive naturalness. Cold, distant and a bit haughty. His voice is strong, sharp and rocky, intimidating; like everything else about him.