“I'm so sorry to put you through this,” Lily said. “I don't think of him as your father. He doesn't know you at all. I took you away from him before you were born. I've only wanted good for you, my sweetheart.”

“I didn't like him in Rhode Island, and I don't like him now,” Rose said. “The way he smiled at me.” She shivered. “Even before he started yelling. It wasn't a real smile.”

Liam nodded at her, struck by her perception. No falling for Edward's glib charm—not Rose. The sun went all the way down, and the room grew dark. No one moved for a long time. They had no appetite anymore.

When the moon began to rise, Liam stood up and went into the kitchen. Edward had left. His Jaguar was gone. Rose stood at Liam's side, gazing out into the shadows. The moon cast a cold, blue light on all the rocks and roses. The beauty of Hubbard's Point suddenly seemed sinister.

Liam asked Rose if she wanted her lobster, but she didn't. She asked if they could let them go, on the rocks. Liam got the plastic bag out of the refrigerator, and he heard the lobsters scratching inside. The sound made him feel sick. Holding hands, he and Rose walked down to the water. Nanny was there, swimming in a circle of moonlight.

“We've fed her crabs,” Rose said, “but I don't want to feed her the lobsters.”

“I know,” Liam said.

He took the rubber bands off their claws. Showing Rose how to hold them by the carapace so she wouldn't get pinched, he helped her to set them free in the tidal pool. They had plenty of life force, instantly swimming to safety, to hide in crevices under the seaweed.

They stood looking at Nanny for a long time. Liam knew Lily was in the window, up above. His mind was racing, thinking of what she had said to Edward. Rose waved at Nanny, and then it was time to go to bed.

Liam lingered in the hallway, looking at them. Lily sat on the edge of Rose's bed, reading from A Wrinkle in Time, one of her own favorite childhood books. Liam didn't want to let them out of his sight. He wanted to give Lily this time alone with Rose, and he wanted to get his words straight.

When Lily came out, she looked drained and tired. He took her hand, led her back downstairs. They went onto the porch, where they could see both Nanny and the tidal pool, both bathed in moonlight.

“Rose wanted to let those lobsters go,” Lily said.

“She did,” Liam said. “Do you know why?”

Lily shook her head.

“I think it was a completely gentle instinct. She had seen someone being controlling and cruel, and even though she didn't completely understand, she wanted to express herself by doing something kind.”