Headed for the beach.When they arrived, a few hours later, Evelyn could tell that Ian was pleased.“Woww,” he said, pressing his nose against the window. “Mama, I can see the ocean.”“Roll down the window,” Evelyn said, “can you taste the salt on the air?”Ian had done as he was told, letting the o
“What,” I say, my mouth hanging open as I stare between these two women – both incredibly important people in my life, but people I thought lived in completely separate worlds. “How the hell –““Come in,” Emma says, getting to her feet. “Let’s close the door,” she murmurs, peering outside to see if
Not exactly news I needed on today, of all days. “It’s true,” Emma says, beginning to wring her hands. “I wasn’t really surprised when you and Delia clicked – a little jealous, of course.” She pauses for a moment. “I would have given…anything. To be out of my house. Living that life with the two of
Victor stays in Alvin’s room that night. At some point, Burton had brought them up bowls of soup and rich crusty bread, but Victor hadn’t eaten his. He was pleased, though, to see that Alvin still had an appetite.The boy had been hungry and clearly was not nearly so devastated as Victor was. Victor
“If you want it to be,” Victor says. “But you should sleep more, if you’re tired.” “If you’re up, I’m up,” Alvin says, smiling at him and sitting up in the bed. “Can we have breakfast?”“Sure,” says Victor, standing up and putting out a hand for Alvin. “Pancakes, or cereal?”Alvin considers for a m
At the beach the next day, Evelyn leans back, enjoying the feel of the sun on her skin. Though Delia had paid for the hotel, and its quality reflected her therapist paycheck, Emma had sprung for the beach facilities and here her wealth was…evident.The three women stretch out on lounge chairs in a
Emma doesn’t confirm or deny, but instead just gives Evelyn a little look that clearly says don’t push it.“Seriously,” Evelyn says, sitting up fully now and putting her feet down on the sand. “What the hell is stopping you? You hate your life, Emma. Why don’t you just leave him?”Evelyn reaches out
When Victor and Alvin finally pull into the town of Rockport, Victor is struck anew at the charming nature of the town, almost despite himself. He’d been here before, as a child mostly, on vacation with his brother and his parents. But today, he is all business. He pushes his impressions aside and