Of course the argument escalated from there as all of the frustration and fear and disappointment poured out of her.

It ended with her saying she needed to go see Megan and him saying, “Maybe that’s a good idea.”

She told herself their relationship wasn’t falling apart. They bickered but also said “I love you” a lot. She didn’t leave Palo Alto angry, but she did leave worried and confused. Why did he doubt her now after all these years? And why, for God’s sake, was she refusing to legally marry him? He’d been the only man in her life for twenty-two years! What was wrong with them?

Maybe with time apart she’d figure that out.

* * *

Charley had been in Minneapolis with Megan and John for a few days, watching as her sister grew a little stronger every day. She’d seen Eric right before she left and had talked to him since she’d arrived. He was a freshman at Stanford where his tuition was free, one of the perks of having a professor father. He didn’t live with his father, however. He agreed to Stanford but he was ready for a little independence. He was in a dorm but he’d pledged a fraternity and in a couple of years he’d live in a frat house, something that made Charley shudder. But she completely understood.

She called Michael. “How are you? I miss you,” she said.

“I like the sound of that,” he said.

“Are you walking? It sounds like you’re walking…”

“To my car. I’m done for the day but I have to go back for a department meeting tonight.”

“Have you seen Eric?” she asked.

Michael laughed. “He sees me as little as possible. I have to make an appointment. He texts me. I think he does that to keep me from trying to find him and actually talk to him. He’s getting decent grades so I guess he’s all right.”

“I probably talk to him more than you do,” she said. “I responded to one of his texts and told him that was not going to scratch my mother-itch—I had to hear the sound of his voice. So he calls. He’s placating us.”

“More like playing us. He’s keeping us out of his business,” Michael said. “He’s building his own life.”

“Michael, I miss you, but I’m staying here awhile. Meg is getting stronger. That doesn’t necessarily mean she’s out of the woods, but it’s such a relief. She’s eating. She’s up and about. Reading. She doesn’t have a lot of energy but it’s better than none.”

“I’m glad to hear she’s feeling better,” he said.