Page 73 of Summer After Summer

“Guess you’ll just have to face it, then.”

“Please come.”

“I can’t. I’ve got the kids. Dave is out tonight with his buddies.”

I sigh. “I guess that’s fair.”

She chuckles. “I did tell you. Last night notwithstanding, my life looks a lot different these days. Tea parties, sandcastles, things like that.”

“But you hate the sand.”

“It does get everywhere.”

“I want to meet your kids.”

“I’d like that.”

I turn away from the window again and walk out of the room, my phone pressed to my ear. “Tonight?”

“No. No way. You already used that excuse. And I need a night or twenty without drinking.”

“We don’t have to drink.”

“Sure,” Ash says, laughing. “We don’t.”

I’m in the hallway. The door to Charlotte’s room is closed, but I can hear her in there. I take a step closer. Maybe she can be my wingman.

“Do I look awful?” I ask Ash.

“What do you mean?”

“When you saw me, did you think, God she’s aged badly.”

“No.”

“You promise?”

“Yes, why?”

I hear Charlotte’s voice through the door, and then another one, deeper. I take a step back. “The expression on Fred’s face the first time he saw me. Like he wouldn’t have recognized me if he saw me out of context.”

“He didn’t say that.”

“His eyes did.”

“Well, fuck him, then.”

I smile. “Thanks, Ash.”

There’s a wail behind her. “I’ve got to go.”

“I’ll come over soon.”

“Oh, wait! Tomorrow. It’s your birthday.”

“I know.”

“What are you doing?”

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