“Don’t be mean to your brother, Alexander,” Marion said.

“Why not? He’s mean to me.”

“Be nice,” Marion said, pointing her fork at Alex. “Your friend didn’t come over to listen to you bicker with your brother.”

“That’s right,” Jenny said. “You tell him, Marion.”

“I like this girl, Alex. What did you say your name was again?”

“Jenny.”

“That’s a nice name. I like it.”

“Thank you. Marion is a nice name, too.”

“It’s an old-lady name.”

“No, it isn’t,” Jenny said with a smile.

“Want some more lasagna, Mom?” Alex asked.

“No, I’m full. Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. Thank Mrs. Upton. She made it.”

“That’s very nice of Verna.”

“Yes, it is.”

“Is Daisy coming tonight?”

“Probably. Do you want to sit in the rocking chair and watch for her?”

“That would be very nice,” Marion said. “It’s freezing in here.”

Alex walked her to the door and got her settled in one of the rockers. He came back inside and opened the blinds so he could keep an eye on her. “I’m sorry our plans got screwed up,” he said when they were alone.

“It’s no problem.”

“How do you feel about Verna Upton’s lasagna and a movie on TV?”

“That sounds lovely. Verna’s lasagna comes highly recommended.”

Alex approached her with intent in his dark eyes, and Jenny took a couple of steps backward until she bumped up against the counter. He surrounded her, with a hand on either side of her. “You were really great with her. Thank you.”

“She’s very sweet.”

“I’m glad you got to see the sweetness. Her moods run the gamut these days. At times, like just now, she’s almost lucid, like her old self. But then she disappears into the confusion again, which is particularly crushing for us.”

“I’m sure it is.” Jenny reached up to corral a wayward strand of damp hair from his forehead. “You get a reminder of who she used to be, and then it’s snatched away from you.”

“Yes,” he said. “That’s it exactly.”

Jenny placed her hands on his hips and drew him toward her.

Alex put his arms around her, and they stood that way for a long time while he kept a vigilant eye on his mother.

There was nothing sexual about their embrace. It was all about comfort, which he seemed to need badly.

“You’re so good for me,” he whispered gruffly against her ear, sending a cascade of shivers down her arm. “I was so damned happy to see you when I came in from work.”

“I was happy to see you, too.”

His arms tightened around her. “I thought about our ‘picnic’ all afternoon.”

“So did I.”