Sure. Call me, she responded.
I’m on your front porch.
Adrienne slipped from the bed, pulled on her clothes, and although she hated herself for running as soon as Seb called, she pulled open the front door within minutes.
The moon, peeking through a haze of clouds at the zenith, provided little light, but even in the dimness Adrienne could see Seb’s distress.
“Abuelo’s d-dead,” Seb stuttered.
Adrienne, fearing that he would wake Aubrey, or worse, her mom and dad, took Seb’s sleeve and pulled him off the porch, down the front walk, through the gate, and onto the sidewalk. She shied away from the streetlamp’s glow. The last thing she wanted was her sister to see or hear her talking to Seb. She dreaded her sister’s lecture more than whatever Seb had to say.
I thought that was what you wantedcame to her lips, but she bit the words back, and said instead, “I’m sorry. I know you loved him.”
He nodded and ran his fingers through his hair. He looked like a lost child. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Do? I’m not sure what you mean. You’ve been running the company for years.”
“The business is fine. That I know how to manage.” He toed a pebble on the ground, not meeting her gaze. He breathed out a sigh and looked up at the bleak stars. “I’m sorry. I’m not sure what I’m doing here.”
“I can see that.”
He swallowed. “Do you still want the divorce?”
“Of course. Don’t you?”
“I’m, hmm, not sure?”
Adrienne stared at him and an image of her Uncle Josh weeks before his death flashed in her memory. He’d died after a long and painful battle with cancer. I always said that if I ever had a terminal illness I would drink, smoke, take drugs, and eat whatever I wanted, but now that I’m here, none of that forbidden fruit is interesting to me. Was that how Seb was feeling? Had Therese just been forbidden fruit? Poor Therese. Poor Seb. Adrienne felt nothing but release and even though she’d loved Abuelo, elation and a sense of freedom swept through her, as cleansing as the night air.
“Seb, go home.”
“There’s no one there.” His voice bordered on panic.
“You’ll be okay. When’s the funeral?”
“We’re burying him in Italy.”
“Oh, that’s nice. He’ll like that.”
“And having a memorial here in a few days.” He lifted his eyes to her. “Will you come?”
“Will Nick be there?” She tried to tamp down the excitement in her tone.
“No one’s been able to get ahold of him,” Seb said. He returned to toeing the pebble. “Steph thinks he’s either on Easter Island or in the Andes. We can’t wait for him,” he added defensively. “I’m leaving for Italy and the interment in a few days.”
“I’m sure Nick’ll understand.”
“Adrienne!” Aubrey called from the porch. She’d turned on the light and stood beneath it. Clad in a ratty, fuzzy red robe and a pair of men’s black socks, she looked comical, but there was nothing funny about the fury on her face.
“I have to go,” Adrienne said.
“How’s your dad?” Seb asked. “You were right, I should have asked about him.”
“He’s getting better.”
“That’s good. Maybe I can visit him? We could play chess like we used to.”
“I don’t know, Seb,” Adrienne hedged.
“Adrienne!” Aubrey barked.
“You’re not very popular around here,” Adrienne said with a sad smile.
“I get that,” he said. “I deserve that.”
“I have to go before Aubrey wakes the neighbors.” She leaned in to kiss his cheek and for just a moment inhaled his warm, familiar scent. “Goodbye, Seb.”
