Page 23 of Summer After Summer

“Sure,” I say, quashing a sigh. We are who we are. We’re not going to change that over the course of a summer. “I made a bag for you. And maybe you could take these others to Goodwill?”

“Which one is mine?”

I point to the smallest bag. “All her Chanel stuff is in there. I think it will fit you.”

She smooths down her peach-colored polo shirt. “I’m down five pounds.”

“That’s great.”

“You look like shit.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“Sorry, that just popped out.” She touches my shoulder. “I’m worried about you. We all are.”

This brings me close to tears. This is the reason we stuff our emotions down. Because letting them up hurts. “Thank you, Soph.”

“And I’m sorry about Wes.”

Maybe I’ll get to a time and place where his name doesn’t feel like a knife, but I’m not there yet. “Yeah, me too.”

“What happened? You said you were having problems at Christmas, but—”

“Turns out it was Wes who was having a problem. Of the female kind.”

Her eyes grow wide. “Oh! How did you find out?”

I stare at the floor trying to erase the memory of the texts I found on his phone. “I don’t think I can talk about it.”

“No, of course. I understand.” She squeezes my arm. “I’m here, though. If you need me.”

Tears spring to my eyes. “Thank you. Ah …” I wipe them away quickly. “God, it’s hot. Any idea where I can get an air conditioner?”

“The Home Depot might have some still, though I heard there was a run on them a couple of weeks ago when we had that heat wave.”

“Great.”

“Can you help me put this stuff in the car? My back is killing me.”

I bury a smile. “Sure.”

Her black SUV is parked in the driveway, and I make several trips, hauling the bags from the hallway.

“I can’t believe I’m missing tonight,” she says as she pushes the button to close the trunk.

“Why?”

Sophie sighs. “You didn’t hear? Colin Junior has an earache, and it always turns into an infection, and my sitter canceled, so I’m stuck at home with him. God forbid Colin should miss the party and ‘babysit’ his son.”

“He’s not still calling it that, is he?”

“Don’t get me started.”

“But it’s a party at your family’s house.”

Sophie crosses her arms over her stomach. “He says there are businesspeople who’re going to be there that he needs to talk to. I don’t know. Ever since he found out about the money, he’s been acting weird.”

“I thought he had his own money?”

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