Chapter 12

Myron had two semicontradictory thoughts about Miami. One, the weather was so beautiful he should move down here. Two, sun there was too much sun down here. Everything was too bright. Even in the airport Myron found himself squinting . This was not a problem for Myron's parents, the beloved Ellen and Al Bolitar, who wore those oversize sunglasses that looked suspiciously like welder's goggles, though without the style. They both waited for him at the airport. Myron had told them not to, that he would get a taxi, but Dad had insisted. Don't I always pick you up from the airport? Remember when you came back from Chicago after that big snowstorm?That was eighteen years ago, Dad . So? You think I forgot how to go?And that was Newark Airport . Eighteen minutes, Myron . Myron's eyes closed. I remember . Exactly eighteen minutes . I remember, Dad . That's how long it took me to get from the house to Terminal A at Newark Airport. I used to time it, remember?I do, yes . So here they were, both of them, at the airport with dark suntans and fresh liver spots. When Myron came down the escalator, Mom ran over and wrapped her arms around her boy as if this were a POW homecoming in 1974. Dad stayed in the background with that satisfied smile. Myron hugged her back. Mom felt smaller. That was how it was down here. Your parents withered and got smaller and darker, like giant shrunken heads . Mom said, Let's get your luggage . I have it here . That's it? Just that one bag?I'm only down for a night . Still . Myron watched her face, checked her hands. When he saw the shake was more pronounced, he felt the thud in his chest . What? she said . Nothing . Mom shook her head. You've always been the worst liar. Remember that time I walked in on you and Tina Ventura and you said nothing was going on? You think I didn't know?Junior year of high school. Ask Mom and Dad what they did yesterday, they won't remember. Ask them about anything from his youth, and it's like they studied replays at night . He held up his hands in mock surrender. Got me . Don't be such a smart guy. And that reminds me . They reached Dad. Myron kissed him on the cheek. He always did. You never outgrow that. The skin felt loose. The smell of Old Spice was still there, but it was fainter than usual. There was something else there, some other smell, and Myron thought it was the smell of the old. They started for the car . Guess who I ran into? Mom said . Who?Dotte Derrick. Remember her?No . Sure you do. She had that thing, that what-you-call-it, in her yard . Oh, right. Her. With that thing . He had no idea what she was talking about, but this was easier .