“I didn’t, but I would have fired him. I would have had to. He said unforgivable things to my wife.”

“That doesn’t sound like Clarence at all.”

“Denise apparently made some sort of derogatory remark about his nephew, the one you . . . Why, how this came up, I do not know, I wasn’t there, and Elsie isn’t the most reliable witness, and no one will tell me exactly what Denise said, but Clarence blew up and cursed her. They got into a terrible fight, and then he just walked out. No notice, no nothing. Just dropped his keys on the floor and walked away after thirty years.”

He went on about Clarence’s disloyalty, about the domestic uproar following his desertion, but I scarcely listened. The news that Clarence had left Summit Drive struck me as inexpressibly sad, like the last sad domino falling from events I had set in motion. But I also could not suppress a little joyful sensation that Clarence had proved himself no Uncle Tom, and that Terrence would have been proud of him. After living for thirty years in a houseful of people addicted to dramatic gestures, Clarence had indulged in one of his own.

The baby started wailing in earnest, and Leon said he had to go. “You’ll come to Summit Drive, Roxanne, won’t you? Come and visit Aaron?”

“Of course,” I said, privately vowing that I would never go without Irene at my side.

“Do you need money? I know you haven’t worked in months.”

“I’m fine. I’ve got a job with Paragon. Carleton’s offered me a job.”

He looked slightly crestfallen. “You could always come to Empire, you know. You could have any job you like there.”

“I know. But I would always be in your shadow there.”

“I suppose I understand that. Suppose I have to.” The baby squalled. “He’s definitely hungry. I should go.”

“I’m so glad you came, and I am happy to meet your baby.” Together we walked outside and went down the stairs.

The driver turned on the motor as soon as we turned the corner, and Mrs. Shea stepped out of the car. “Mr. Greene,” she cried. “I really must insist! His schedule! You’re going to upset his bowels. Oh, his little cap! What have you done with his cap?” She took the blanket-wrapped bundle from his arms as Leon dangled the cap before her. She snatched it and got back in the car.

He turned for one last look at the sea, glancing at the garage. “I don’t remember a garage.”

“I had it built,” I admitted. “You’re going to tear the place down anyway.”

“I’m not going to tear it down as long as you are happy here, Honeybee.”

“Oh, I’m happy here, Leon! I love this place! I’ve been so worried you were so angry, you were going to evict me.”