Page 39 of The Fix-Up

“Well, um, I’ll leave you to it.” I took a couple of steps backwards. “Night, Gil.”

“Night, Eleanor.”

After I closed up the house for the night and got into my room, I moved to close the curtains. But I couldn’t resist looking outside once more. Gil was as I’d left him, sprawled in the chair, legs stretched out, and staring into the fire. Even through the window, I could feel his sadness.

THIRTEEN

Love is a feeling that you feel and it says that you like someone or something.

—SAVANNAH W., AGE 8

From the sticky note correspondence of Gilbert Dalton and Ellie Sterns:

Eleanor—

I’ll be leaving this Friday afternoon and returning Sunday afternoon. Please refrain from holding a rave in my tent.

—Gilbert

Gil—

Just so I’m clear. No parties at your place?

—Ellie

P.S. Where are you going?

Eleanor—

No parties. PLEASE.

—Gilbert

P.S. Austin. I’ll be going every weekend.

Gil, Gil, Gil?—

Are you sure? I was going to make people pay a cover charge. I promise to follow a strict no-glitter policy.

—Ellie

P.S. What’s in Austin?

Eleanor—

Hilarious.

—Gilbert

P.S. The state capitol building.

Gil had returned from his weekend trip with a free-standing hammock he set up in his compound.

And he got very busy while Oliver and I were away during the day.

On Monday, the kitchen faucet stopped drip-drip-dripping.

On Tuesday, the door to the clothes dryer no longer required duct tape to keep it closed.

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