Page 40 of Nineteen Eighty

“I know. You must be so proud of him.” He watched the kettle as if the intensity in his stare might speed the process. “We all are.”

“I am. But, you know, I’m a little bored.”

“I could bring you on as a part-timer, if you want.”

“Thanks, but I don’t.”

“Figured, but you know the offer always stands.”

“I know. Thanks.” She stepped into the pantry to retrieve the tea for him. “How’s Ana been? Not the cold… I mean from the accident. How’s she recovering? I still can’t believe you guys didn’t call me.”

Augustus pulled the teacups from the cupboard and nestled the bags inside. “And say what? There was nothing you could do from Paris, except worry. And…” He sighed. “I confirmed she can heal herself. I suspected it, but now I know. She’s still new at it, so Colleen and some others came to help. She seems fully recovered, physically at least.”

“But?”

At last the kettle sang, and Augustus quickly poured both cups, settling one in front of Elizabeth. He sat across from her. “She’s been different ever since.”

“Different how?”

Augustus played with his teabag. “She loved being outside. I couldn’t even put my briefcase down before she’d have me by the hand, ready for a game of soccer. She always wanted to run and play. Now, she spends most of her time in her room. I thought Nicolas being here would help, but he’s just as keen on hiding with her in the bedroom.”

“What are they doing?”

“Reading. Brooding. I honestly don’t know what four and five-year-olds do when they sequester themselves in their bedrooms.”

Elizabeth considered this. “Is it fear, do you think? Because of what happened?”

“Maybe. I think that’s part of it. I also think Ana has always been wired this way, and the accident pushed her further in that direction.”

“Someone who prefers their own counsel isn’t broken, you know. I’ve always sensed in her that she draws strength from solitude. Some just do.”

“I know. But something broke inside her, Lizzy. I can see it. And I don’t know how to fix it.”

“Have you considered taking her to a counselor?”

“No, she’s four.”

Elizabeth sighed. “There are counselors for children, too, you know.”

“What could she say that wouldn’t make things worse? That she saved her own life, healing hundreds of broken bones with her mind?”

“Fair point, I suppose.” Elizabeth fingered the rim of the cup. She’d been leading to this, but didn’t quite know how to offer. “I could help. I could come look after her and Nicolas. I miss her, actually. I miss being her full-time auntie.” It would give me something meaningful to do. Some sense of purpose that I desperately, desperately need.

Augustus placed both hands over hers. “Thank you, Elizabeth. For everything. From the bottom of my heart. But you have a family of your own to think of now, and it’s time I consider a more permanent solution to this problem.”

Augustus always looked forward to the weekly dinners with his mother. He started the tradition right after Ana was born; after Ekatherina died. It was time just for them, and as Ana aged, he began to take her along, too. This time he brought Nicolas as well. They were both on the mend, and with energy to spare.

Sometimes they went out, other times they ate in. Now that Irish Colleen was living at The Gardens, in her own suite, they occasionally enjoyed a light dinner on the screened porch overlooking paradise.

Colleen took the kids for him so he could have the privacy needed for the conversation he intended to have with his mother. He hadn’t told her anything, only that he needed some time alone with Mama. Colleen didn’t question it. She took Ana and Nicolas by the hand and disappeared.

“You look very serious tonight, Augustus,” his mother said. When they stayed in, he usually cooked, but tonight he’d brought her takeout from the English pub she sometimes frequented with Kellan. Augustus didn’t know if Kellan and his mother were dating, but they definitely spent a lot of time together. He said nothing, because, with an empty nest now, his mother deserved happiness in whatever form she could find it.

“I suppose I am,” he conceded. “I’ve been thinking a lot, and I wanted to get your opinion on something. Maybe your guidance.”

She grinned. “You know I live for such rare moments.”

He smiled back. “I come to you for advice.”

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