“I guess that is a big advantage of never marrying or having kids.”

“Among others. I know what most people think—that I’m the lonely, crazy cat lady who should be pitied. They couldn’t be more wrong. I love my life. Have loved every day of it, even the crappy ones. And I’ve had my share. But every single minute—good or bad—I only had myself to congratulate or blame. It’s easier to compromise with yourself than with others.”

“You’ve never wanted a relationship? Someone special to share your life with?”

“Maybe once, as a young girl. But that dream passed and reality set in.”

“Trust me, I’m full on reality at the moment and being alone is looking better than ever. But still, there’s times when it would be nice to have someone help you pull the weight.”

Adelaide raised one eyebrow. “What weight, exactly, did Harold help you pull? You took care of the house and did a good job trying to remodel that tacky hunk of lumber. You cooked the meals and tended the garden. You raised that girl. And you did it all while still contributing to the household finances.”

Marina stared down at the table. “I’ve been thinking a lot about that lately.”

“And you know I’m right. That’s no slam against you. Good Lord, I’d bet that’s life for 90 percent of women with a family.”

Marina looked at Adelaide. “Being overworked, taken for granted, and marginalized?”

“Yes.”

“Well, it’s crap.”

“Of course it’s crap but…there’s that reality thing again. You can’t change the past, but you can damn sure choose your future. You’ve taken control of everything that has been flung your direction. Where was Harold when Avery was being arrested? When she was in jail? When she was in court? You’ve always been the strong one. You just bowed down to centuries of outdated thinking and deferred to the man of the house, when the truth is, there was no man in your house. There was only you.”

Marina flushed a bit, both pleased and embarrassed by Adelaide’s words.

“It wasn’t always that way,” Marina said. “Harold and I, I mean. We got together in high school probably because we were both too shy to force ourselves into situations where we might become the center of attention. Harold was sweet then. We both loved music and he took me to every concert we could scratch up the money for. On weekends, we’d pack a picnic basket and head out in his boat to fish but we usually ended up reading books or talking and napping.”

Marina shook her head. “Even when we were first married, it was fun. I suppose, in the beginning, we were nothing more than two kids playing house but it was an adventure every time we scraped together the funds for something extra. The decision for Harold to open his own business was made jointly and we celebrated every new client with dinner and wine. I’ve never seen anyone more excited than Harold when I told him I was pregnant with Avery.”