“This year I’ve got the nursery,” he said. “It’s doing wonders for my mental attitude. Keeps my paranoid fantasies at bay. Makes me less defeatist. Still staying low-level lit, though. When I’ve got the money.” He sipped foam. I followed suit. The deeper I got into the glass, the better it tasted.

“Septic’s likely to cost fifteen thousand,” I said.

“Shit,” Rudy said, and I suddenly loved him for the simple fact that he was neither Lily nor Helen.

“Just out of curiosity,” I said, “what would you do?”

“You know how people do it around here when they need money fast,” Rudy said. “They go north.”

“Right,” I said. I’d just wanted to be sure.

“Plenty of work on those rat crews,” Rudy said. “High turnover. Get sick, get hurt, get attacked by some male. There’s a reason they call them man camps. It’s no place for a woman, but you probably don’t care about that. That probably makes you want to do it more.” He ordered another beer. “And a cup of coffee,” he said to the tender.

“What the hell do you know?” I said. “It’s the only way I can think of.”

“Have you told Lily?” he asked.

“Lily won’t likely forgive me,” I said. “But then, she also won’t forgive me if we can’t get Perley back. Might not forgive me no matter what happens.”

“Speaking of curiosity,” he said, licking the foam from his mustache.

“Better not,” I said.

“I just have to ask,” he said. “What about Perley’s dad? Why not hit him up for some money? Surely he owes you.”

“Perley’s dad?”

“That deadbeat’s out there somewhere,” Rudy said. “Right? I mean, how did Lily get pregnant?”

“So that’s what you’re after,” I said. “How long have you been wanting to ask us that?”

“Possibly seven years,” he said. “Give or take.”

“What do you want, beginning sex ed?” I asked.

“Could help,” he said.

“Lily’s high school friend overnighted us semen on ice,” I said. “Suspended in some special fluid. Finally, it took.”

“So that’s how you people do it,” Rudy said.

“End of conversation,” I said, pushing my stool back. Rudy took no notice.

“Does this high school friend have any money?” he asked.

“Rudy, get off it. He’s the donor. He’s not Perley’s dad,” I said.

“But legally?” Rudy asked.

“Suddenly you’re so into the law,” I said.

“Just spitballing,” Rudy said. “I mean, what’s this guy like?”

“He’s not like us,” I said. “He’s like, he’s a high-powered gay in Manhattan.”

“High-powered? You mean he’s rich,” Rudy said.

“Rudy,” I said. “We sent the guy some photos when Perley was born. That’s it. He doesn’t want any other involvement. Neither do we. That was the deal.”