“No. This is my condition. It’s manageable, and I will not have you involved. I’ve had a series of examinations, and I’m watching my cholesterol and my activities. I’ve been told I won’t drop dead today, and I’m still a competent babysitter. In fact, if I’m careful of my diet, I’ll probably be around to drive you crazy for years to come. I’m having another checkup in the fall. You’re lucky I told you at all. And the only reason I did is that I really wanted to spend some time with you and the boys. Just in case.”

“Is it angina?”

“What?”

“Mom,” Leigh had said, “I could investigate, help with some treatment decisions…”

“Absolutely not. I’m well aware of your intelligence, but this is a matter that requires good instincts. You’ll only get technical, pragmatic and annoying. Butt out.”

“But I’m home because—”

“I hope you’re home because you want to be, not just because you’re afraid I’m short-term!”

“Mother,” Leigh had begun.

“Daughter,” Jess had mimicked.

Now Jess saw Mitch, the dark one, take a wide swing on the rope that hung from a high branch. A good, big swing. What a guy. And then she smelled a nasty smell and cursed under her breath. The five percent! She made quick work of the steps to the kitchen and found macaroni burning in the pan. Then she heard a sound and looked up; a damp spot was spreading on the ceiling. She cursed again. She missed Cal, but not enough to go through all this again.

“If I had a serious heart condition,” she grumbled as she raced up the stairs, “this girl would kill me in no time. And if I ever get a really important heart condition, she will be the last to know!”

The tub was overflowing. “Leigh!” she shouted. But of course she wasn’t heard. Busy mind, blocked ears. She turned off the water and pulled the plug. The carpet was soaked, and her sneakers got so wet she sloshed. She went to the loft that had been Cal’s study and saw Leigh, wearing her bathrobe, sitting in front of her computer screen, her fingers clicking keys at lightning speed. She touched Leigh’s shoulder. “You’ve burned up a pan and flooded the bathroom!”

“Oh, Mom,” Leigh said, startled and shaken. “Oh, I’m sorry! I really don’t do that so much anymore, really! Damn, I’ll clean it up, I’m so sorry… I’m… ”

“Never mind,” Jess sighed wearily.

“Where are the boys?” Leigh asked over her shoulder.

“The boys are just fine. You need more watching than they do!” Oh, Leigh, she thought, where is your brain?