Page 80 of Summer Light on Nantucket
“Little Holly. Fortunately, she didn’t connect that the witch was her grandmother.”
Bob folded both hands behind his head and tipped his chair back, anchoring it with his foot on the bed. “Do you remember the Halloween party we went to that night, after Carol had come over to babysit?”
“Let me think.” Blythe wasn’t lying, just trying to delay the moment. They’d gone to an adult party, and she’d dressed as a lady of the night, complete with fishnet stockings and a plunging blouse, and Bob had been a cop. They’d drank too much and stumbled home and after the babysitter left, they’d made love right on the living room floor. Ortried to. Blythe was feeling nauseous from too much punch, and as her husband slowly peeled her fishnet stockings off, she’d twisted away from him and vomited.
Bob had fetched a wet washcloth, washed her face, and cleaned up her vomit. He’d helped her move to the sofa and covered her with a soft cotton throw. He’d gone up to bed, and Blythe had slept on the sofa all night.
Now she groaned. “The Halloween I drank too much and vomited.”
“Yeah,” Bob said. “You were really disgusting.”
They both laughed, remembering.
“It was the punch,” Blythe insisted. “It was always that punch.”
Bob nodded. “We had some good times.”
Blythe stood up. “I’m going to go buy some coffee. Would you like some?”
“Please.” Bob went back to watching his mother.
It felt good to stretch her legs and roll her shoulders. When she checked her phone, she saw that two hours had passed. Her children would all be awake by now. She passed through the automatic doors and stood outside for a moment, enjoying the sun on her face.
She called Daphne to update her.
“Hi, Mom, how’s Grandmother? Can I come see her?”
Love flushed Blythe at her daughter’s voice. “Hi, Daphne. Grandmother’s still sleeping. Her body needs a lot of sleep so it can get well. I’m going to stay here with Dad for a while—”
“Is Terri still there too?”
“Yes, she’s with Kate. What are your plans for the day?”
“Well, Mom, I’m hardly going to have a normal day when Grandmother’s in the hospital. I’ll just hang here and wait for you to call again.”
“Sounds like a good plan. Call me if you need me.”
She went back inside the hospital, bought two cups of hot coffee, and carried them to Celeste’s room.
“I called home. Daphne’s awake and in charge.”
Bob chuckled. “Daphne’s always in charge.”
Blythe settled in a chair. “Funny how our children are all turning out different.”
“Well, look at Mom and her children. Kate’s a witch and I’m charming,” Bob joked.
Blythe laughed. “You can be charming when you want to.”
“Do you ever think about us, Blythe?”
She studied her ex-husband for a moment. He was still handsome, and age had given him an aura of stability, even wisdom. Blythe thought age had given her a few wrinkles and some extra pounds.
“No, Bob,” she said quietly. “I don’t think about you and me. We’ve been apart for three years. You’ve found a new woman, and she’s lovely. The kids are fine, well-adjusted.”
“How doyoufeel? Are you fine?”
“I’m fine, Bob. More than fine. I’m going to start teaching again. I’ve agreed to teach seventh-grade English. And I’m excited about it.”
