Marina sighed. “And then...”

“Life has a way of taking the joy out of living if you let it,” Adelaide said. “I’ve seen so many couples just like you two get beaten down by responsibility and tragedy. And unfortunately, it’s usually only one of them that keeps it all together. Then the one who got off easy complains about the lack of attention while the one who’s been juggling all the balls resents having no help.”

“I guess that pretty much sums it up. I hate that my life has been reduced to a cliché.”

“Only a small piece of it. But the rest of it is what you choose to make it and my money’s on you having a better future than Harold. You can handle anything life tosses at you. Harold, not so much.”

“I wish that were true. But at the moment, even plumbing is getting the best of me. I have a leak in my bathroom sink and can’t get Bucky to return a phone call.”

Adelaide waved a hand in dismissal. “He’s paid his utility bill and has beer money for the next week. You won’t hear from him until he runs out.”

“This town could really use another plumber.”

Adelaide narrowed her eyes at Marina. “Maybe.”

“What? You think I should fix it myself?”

“Why not? In the time you spend waiting on Bucky to put down his beer and return a phone call, you could probably figure out how to do it yourself. You did plenty of home improvement stuff before. Besides, you young people have the YouTube. It’s probably on there.”

Marina smiled. “You really don’t like depending on other people, do you?”

“I passed introvert somewhere in my teens and moved straight to hermit when my parents died and I inherited their house and investments. After I quit my teaching job, I stocked up on groceries and didn’t leave my house for a month. It was a glorious thirty days.”

“I can see that.”

“But you and I are very different people. Humans drain me so I try to avoid them as much as possible. But you’re good with people and perhaps more importantly, good for people. That’s a calling that I’m afraid you’ll never be able to shake.”

“So you’re saying I’m doomed to a life of socializing?”

“You’re doomed to a life of being surrounded by people who care about you. There are worse things.”

“Like being surrounded by buttholes?”

“Ha. Yeah, you’ve had your share of that lately. Going to get another taste of it tonight. I know I can’t talk you out of going, but I want you to be careful. The LeDoux are smarting over Luke getting Avery out of jail, and the threat of pursuing a theft charge for their little angel has them more than a little ruffled. They won’t tell you to leave. Not as Luke’s guest. But the passive-aggressive behavior will be full force.”

“I’m not looking to make more trouble for Avery or for myself. But if my being there diminishes their joy, then there’s no place I’d rather be.”