She hesitated and then said:
"I suppose it makes sense."
"How are the girls?"
"A bit calmer."
"I'd like to say something to them. Will they talk to me?"
"I doubt it."
Just then a nasal voice intruded on the line.
"Deposit another forty cents for the next three minutes."
"Okay. Listen, Sheil," Bob said hastily. "Ill call you again when I get to the house."
"All right."
"I love you," he said quickly, just as the phone went dead. He hoped she had heard him. Because he had done a lot of rehearsing before making the call.
He put the receiver on the hook and started back
into the dining area of the Wellesley Howard Johnson's on Route 128.
Jean-Claude was sitting in a comer booth, picking at his fried clams (it was eat-all-you-want fish night). Bob sat down across from him.
"How would you like to stay another day?'' he asked. "We could sleep over at our house in Lexington. What do you think?"
"Oh, yes," said the boy.
J70R ONCE THE GIRLS NEEDED NO CAJOLING TO GET
them to bed. They had earlier accepted the news of Bob's absence with apparent equanimity. Or at least emotional exhaustion.
But Sheila could not keep herself from feeling resentful. Even when he had called the airline, Bob seemed to be looking for excuses to stall. Maybe he had deliberately missed the flight. To steal another day with his son.
She was also angry because he had left her alone to deal with the girls, taking for granted, as usual, that she would handle it. He didn't even sound apologetic about staying away for the night. Don't we matter anymore? Where the hell are his priorities?
Gavin Wilson arrived at the stroke of nine-thirty. For some reason he looked slightly different. And then she realized: he was wearing a tie and jacket.
"Hello, Sheila." The tone of his voice matched the formality of his dress.
"Come in,'' she said. "Can I get you something to drink?"
"Please. Scotch and water, if that's convenient." He followed her inside.
150
"Ice?"
Tes, please. Fve been thoroughly Americanized."
When they entered the living room, he glanced around uneasily.
"Uh—Bob had to stay in Boston/' Sheila said, and tried to sound as casual as possible.
"Oh? Any problem?"
*'No. Of course not Just a last-minute delay."
"Oh."
"Please sit down, Gavin. Til get the drinks."
It came upon her unawares as she was opening the fridge. Suddenly the strain of all the pretense was too much for her. She closed the door, leaned on it and began to cry. Softly, steadily.
It was a relief. Now she realized just how much she'd wanted to break down. And for how long.
Suddenly she felt someone's arms around her.
Gavin had come into the kitchen without her even hearing him.
As he continued to hold her, he whispered, "Now, Sheila, are you or are you not going to tell me what the matter is?"
She could not move, trapped by the crosswinds of emotion.
"I don't know you," she said without turning.
"If it will make it any easier," he answered gently, "I've been checked for security by the FBI. That means I can be trusted with the most vital secrets."
She gave a little laugh. He was still holding her. She neither turned nor tried to move away. His voice now trembled slightly as he said:
"Anyway, for what it's worth, I think I'm falling in love with you."
She did not reply.
"Please answer me. Sheila. I had to work up a lot of courage to say that."
"Don't be silly, Gavin," she replied. He was still holding her.
"'I know you've got every reason not to believe me. WeVe just met. And then of course I made that ridiculously clumsy pass in the restaurant. You don't know how sorry I am. I was so furious afterwards that I walked for nearly two hours along the Charles. I must really have looked miserable—even the muggers avoided me."
Is this man trying to say he really cares for me?
"I mean, dammit, it was awful of me not to realize that something was troubling you."
"If s all right," she said. It was merely an affirmative statement of her feelings, not a precise reply to his remarks.
"Listen," he continued, "I came here not just to apologize but to try and comfort you. Do you feel a littie better now?"
"Yes."
"Good. Now then, go back to the sitting room and ril fix us both that drink. Then maybe we can talk about what's bothering you. You having Scotch as well?"
She nodded yes.
^'Then oflF you go."
He handed her a glass and sat down in the chair opposite her.
"Well?" he said.
"Well what?"
"You did understand what I was saying to you just now?"