“To the Carpegian gardens with a Mr. Day. A man I play duplicate with. We’re going to a tournament with some other couples. I haven’t been out of town with a man since Marvin died. We’re going to be chaperoned, of course.” She sighed, sat back on the bed. “I don’t think Malcolm’s mother, Rose, approves. I think Rose is worried about it. Don’t say anything if you talk to her.”

“I’ve never met her.”

“We’re going to play in a tournament. He has so many master points. He’s within a hundred points of being a life master. Oh, dear.” She put her hand up to her head. For a moment I thought she was going to change her mind and stay in Atlanta with Malcolm and me.

“Go on and have a good time,” I said. “You know what Dorothy Parker said, don’t you? ‘Drink and dance and laugh and lie. Love the reeling midnight through. For tomorrow we shall die! But, alas, we never do.’ It’s called ‘The Flaw in Paganism.’ Well, anyway, go on and have some fun. You need to get out and have fun.”

“Oh, you’re right, I guess.” She hung her head.

“Of course I am. If anybody doesn’t like it, they’re just jealous. Listen, Aunt Gaye, you’re the best-looking woman your age I ever saw in my life. You could be in the movies. You can’t just stay home with your cat. My great-grandmother had three husbands. As soon as one would die, she’d marry another one.”

She seemed to brighten up at that. “You’re right, of course. Life goes on. Marvin would be distressed to see me shut up in this dismal place. Well, I’ll go freshen up before Mr. Day gets here.” She went into the adjoining room and sat down at her makeup table. I opened my suitcase and took out a dress and hung it over the chair. Then I took out my high-heel shoes to see if they were squashed from the plane ride. Then I opened a compact and began to put on lipstick. I looked at my watch. It was almost six o’clock. When was she going to leave? I walked to the door of the room. She was sitting at a dresser powdering her face. “I’m going downstairs and look for Malcolm,” I said. “I don’t want him to be alone.”

I found him in the dining room looking at paintings of his ancestors. “I love your aunt,” I said. “I love meeting her.” I tried to put my arms around his waist but he pulled away.

“Not now,” he said. “You’ll get lipstick on me. Let me get you a Coke. Let me cut you a piece of cake.”

* * *