Page 76 of The Husband Hour
That’s right; Henny, still hurt and angry with Nora, had planned to boycott Nora’s party and have her own. But after much pressure from their shared group of friends—and the realization that Nora’s party was such an institution that no one would show up at Henny’s—she caved and agreed to go to Nora’s after all.
“Are we taking one car or two?” Stephanie asked. She was dressed in a tank top and Daisy Dukes.
“We’re taking two cars,” Lauren said. “One for us, and one for Mom’s doughnuts.”
Stephanie laughed.
“Okay, very funny. And to answer your question, we can take one car.”
“And Dad’s not coming back today? I can’t believe he’s blowing off the Fourth,” Stephanie said. It was true; their dad loved the holiday. When they were little, he had been the one to drive them to Narberth Park to see the fireworks if they weren’t at the shore. And when they were at the beach, he would give them turns sitting on his shoulders to watch the display. “What’s going on?”
“We’re just taking a little time apart,” Beth said. “A little space.”
“Space?” Stephanie said, incredulous. As confused as if Beth had said outer space.
“Come on, girls, let’s go. You know I hate being the last one to a party.”
Nora’s front lawn was festooned with American flags, her trees decorated with red, white, and blue streamers. The front porch welcomed guests with robust bundles of star-spangled balloons. A few people milled around, and the front door was open.
“Happy Fourth of July!” Nora, dressed in a red, white, and blue patchwork dress, hugged Lauren before bending down to greet Ethan.
“Thanks for having us,” Beth said, handing Nora the first of five trays of doughnuts.
“These look fantastic,” Nora said.
“You remember my sister, Stephanie,” Lauren said.
“Hi, hon. Welcome!”
Stephanie, looking distracted, just nodded.
“I’ll take these gorgeous confections to the kitchen so they aren’t devoured before dessert. The hot dogs and hamburgers are grilling as we speak, April brought her vodka watermelon, and we have both red and white sangria.”
Beth whispered something to Stephanie, and Lauren guessed it was a reminder not to drink too much. Music played, 1970s stuff.
Stephanie, with Ethan in tow, followed Lauren to the back deck.
“What’s the deal with Mom and Dad?” Stephanie said.
“I don’t know. I guess they’re having problems.”
“About what?”
“Stephanie, I just told you, I don’t know.”
“He hasn’t said anything about it to me.”
“Why would he?” Lauren said. Yes, Stephanie and their father had always been close, but that didn’t mean he would confide in her about his marital problems.
“I really thought he’d be back by now. They’re basically spending the summer apart.”
“It’s only the beginning of July.”
“Do you think they’re going to get divorced?”
Lauren was surprised to see Stephanie this worked up. She so rarely seemed to think of anyone except herself. But Lauren supposed it was true what people said: no one, no matter how old—or, in Stephanie’s case, how self-absorbed—wants to see her parents split up.
This, at least, was something she and her sister had in common. But she didn’t want to discuss it in the middle of a crowded party. Across the deck, Henny spotted her and waved.
