“Rhoda.” It was Charles William, standing by the ladder at the shallow end. “Come out of there. I want to see you.” I heaved myself up over the side and ran to him and stood dripping water on his bare feet. “Charles William, thank God you’re here. I’ve been trying and trying to call you but it didn’t answer. How are you? What’s been going on? Hand me a towel, will you?” He picked up several towels from a stack on a chair and watched as I dried myself.

“We went to Cincinnati to see a house. I heard there was a sighting. Are you leaving him again? Is this a separation or a visit? I can’t wait to know.” He was laughing, standing with his feet splayed out and his hands on his hips. “You haven’t even seen the house we bought in Fairfields. It’s the house the Morgans lived in, Dee. We went crazy in New York buying chandeliers. When can you come out? Can you come tomorrow?”

“I had an abortion. I went to Houston, Texas, and did it. It was to save my life.” I sat down on a chair still holding the towels.

“Oh, Dee, I’m so sorry. Does Malcolm know?”

“Of course not. He’d kill me if he knew. So now I can’t ever go back to him. Thank God. It was great, Charles William. It was the best thing I ever did in my life. I didn’t care if I died as long as I didn’t have to have another baby.”

“The things that happen to you, Dee. My God. Are you all right?”

“I saved my life. That’s all that matters to me. Don’t tell anyone though. Mother doesn’t know. She thinks we went to the coal mines.”

“Have you told anyone else?”

“No. Why would I?”

“Because you always tell everything. I’ve never known you to keep a secret.”

“There is a biological necessity for truth, Charles William. There is. I read that somewhere. But you’re right, I can’t tell this, can I? Unless I want to go to jail.”

“Let’s go inside and have a drink, Dee. Did you bring any clothes?”

“I have some in the locker room. I’ll get dressed and meet you in the bar.” I stood up beside him. Then I threw myself into his arms. He held me like a child, very very tenderly. “It was so terrible,” I said finally. “So scary and terrible. I haven’t been happy in so long. Haven’t laughed or had fun. I want the world to change, Charles William. It has to get better for me.”