They approached the driveway that led to Francine’s place, and Ned slowed his steps to prolong their time together. All too soon, they reached the foot of the stairs that led to her place.

“Would you like to come up for a cup of coffee?” she asked

“Sure.” Relieved their evening wasn’t over quite yet, Ned followed her up the stairs into the small apartment.

“Maddie lived here a few years,” Francine said as she measured the grounds and poured water into the coffeemaker. “She was living here when she met Mac.”

“I remember,” Ned said, amused to realize she was nervous and chattering to fill the empty spaces.

As the coffee began to brew, Francine turned and leaned against the counter. “You haven’t asked me about Bobby.”

Ned suppressed a gasp at the sudden introduction of the one topic they’d avoided during their hours together. “I don’t figure it’s any of my beeswax.”

“Of course it is.”

“How’s that?”

“Well, if I hadn’t met him, perhaps I would’ve been married to you these last thirty or so years.”

Uncertain of what to do about his sweaty palms, Ned jammed his hands into his pockets. “Ya reckon so?”

Francine tipped her head to study him. “You were going to ask me, weren’t you?”

“Mighta thought about it. Once or twice.”

Her smile was sad and didn’t reach her eyes. “I don’t regret marrying him. If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have my girls. Even though we had it kind of rough after he left, somehow we made it through, and they’re good girls.”

“I don’t know Tiffany, but Maddie’s a lovely gal. She’s made my friend’s boy very happy, which makes me happy.”

Her lips flattened with displeasure. “You’re in awfully tight with those McCarthys.”

“Big Mac is my best friend. Has been since long before I first laid eyes on ya. His kids are my kids.”

“His wife had me thrown in jail.”

Ned kept his tone gentle when he said, “Now, Francine, we both know better than that, don’t we?” He knew full well that Linda had reported Francine only after she passed a fifth bad check in the bar at McCarthy’s Gansett Inn, and that Linda had agonized over the decision. But he kept that information to himself, knowing it wouldn’t matter much to Francine after spending three months in jail.

She turned away to reach for coffee mugs. “I should’ve known you’d side with her.”

“I ain’t on no one’s side. Shit happens. The past belongs in the past.”

Facing him again, she said, “If that’s the case, why’d you come here today?”

Cornered, Ned had no idea how to answer that. “Well, I, uh…”

“Doesn’t matter.”