Daniel. Peter. Her ex-husband. How was it possible that she’d lost all three of these relationships?

I think I’m falling in love with you, Daniel had said. And also: I don’t think I can keep being your secret.

The longer she sat on the bench and watched the river slide by the more she realized the crux of the problem. The problem was that what Daniel wanted and needed from her wasn’t the same thing as what she was able to give him. That was it. Did that mean doom?

She was dancing with these thoughts, doing a little tango, maybe some samba, when she saw the familiar figure of Patricia Stone come along the trail, heading toward her. Patricia was walking with purpose, moving her arms with every step. Power walking. Patricia was head of the committee for the Holiday House Tours. Rebecca thought about getting up and quickly walking in the other direction, avoiding Patricia, basically abdicating her committee spot for all time. As far as Rebecca was concerned, Gina could have it permanently.

“Rebecca!” Patricia said. “Long time, no see. Mind if I sit down?”

“Of course not. Just don’t be frightened of the attack dog under the bench.” Bernice panted agreeably and then laid her head between her paws and promptly fell asleep.

“I’m thinking about walking the entire rail trail today!” said Patricia. Down the way, the trail hooked up across Water Street and meandered through the South End neighborhoods before emerging triumphantly by March’s Hill on High Street, and if you were bold enough, you could cross Route 1 and pick up the other section by the train station, circling back to where they now reposed. “But I’m just going to gather myself first.” She sat. “We’d love to have you back on the holiday tour committee this year, you know, Rebecca. We missed you last year.”

“I’m not ready yet, I don’t think, Patricia,” said Rebecca. They watched a boat trailer back up toward the water and deposit a Boston Whaler into the river.

Patricia looked at Rebecca shrewdly and said, “I understand.” She seemed like she had more to say, but that maybe she wasn’t going to say it.

“Thank you,” said Rebecca. “Well, it was nice to see you, Patricia. I hope you make it all the way around the rail trail in one piece!” She stood up and started unwinding Bernice’s leash from where she’d somehow gotten it caught around the bench.

Patricia said, “Did you know, Rebecca, that when I was forty-nine years old my husband died?”

“Nooo!” said Rebecca. She sat back down. “I didn’t know that!”