Sarah eyed her over the top of her sunglasses. “Mom, let’s not go into that again.”
“I’m not going into anything,” she answered defensively. Then, lowering her voice as if conversing with herself, she went on. “I just assumed you’d decided to go out. You used to do that a lot, you know....”
In addition to wallowing in a bottomless pit of concern, Sarah’s mother could also play to perfection the part of a guilt-ridden parent. There were times when Sarah needed it—a little pity never hurt anyone—but now wasn’t one of them. Sarah frowned slightly as she set the frame back down. The proprietor of the booth, an elderly woman who sat in a chair beneath a large umbrella, raised her eyebrows, clearly enjoying the little scene. Sarah’s frown deepened. She backed away from the booth as her mom went on, and after a moment, Maureen trailed after her.
“What’s wrong?”
Her tone made Sarah stop and face her mother. “Nothing’s wrong. I’m just not in the mood to hear how worried you are about me. It gets old after a while.”
Maureen’s mouth opened slightly and stayed that way. At the sight of her mother’s injured expression, Sarah regretted her words, but she couldn’t help it. Not today, anyway.
“Look, I’m sorry, Mom. I shouldn’t have snapped at you.”
Maureen reached out and took her daughter by the hand. “What’s going on, Sarah? And tell me the truth, this time—I know you too well. Something happened, didn’t it?”
She squeezed Sarah’s hand gently and Sarah looked away. All around them, strangers were going about their business, lost in their own conversations.
“Michael’s getting married again,” she said quietly.
After making sure she had heard correctly, Maureen slowly enveloped her daughter in a firm embrace. “Oh, Sarah...I’m sorry,” she whispered.
There wasn’t anything else to say.
A few minutes later, they were seated on a park bench that overlooked the marina, down the street from where the crowds were still congregated. They’d moved that way unconsciously; they’d simply walked until they could go no farther, then found a place to sit.
There, they talked for a long time, or rather Sarah talked. Maureen mainly listened, unable to mask the concern she felt. Her eyes widened and occasionally filled with tears; she squeezed Sarah’s hand a dozen times.
“Oh... that’s just terrible,” she said for what seemed like the hundredth time. “What a terrible day.”
“I thought so.”
“Well... would it help if I told you to try to look on the bright side?”
“There is no bright side, Mom.”
“Sure there is.”
Sarah raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Like what?”
“Well, you can be certain that they won’t live here after they get married. Your father would have them tarred and feathered.”
Despite her mood, Sarah laughed. “Thanks a lot. If I ever see him again, I’ll be sure to let him know.”
Maureen paused. “You’re not planning on that, are you? Seeing him, I mean.”
Sarah shook her head. “No, not unless I can’t help it.”
“Good. After what he did to you, you shouldn’t.”
Sarah simply nodded before leaning back against the bench.
“So, have you heard from Brian lately?” she asked, changing the subject. “He’s never in when I call.”
Maureen followed Sarah’s lead without complaint. “I talked to him a couple of days ago, but you know how it is. Sometimes, the last thing you want to do is talk to your parents. He doesn’t stay on the phone long.”
“Is he making friends?”
“I’m sure he is.”
Sarah stared out over the water, thinking about her brother for a moment. Then: “How’s Daddy?”
“The same. He had a checkup earlier this week and he seems to be doing fine. And he’s not as tired as he used to be.”
“Is he still exercising?”
“Not as much as he should, but he keeps promising me that he’s going to get serious about it.”
“Tell him that I said he has to.”
“I will. But he’s stubborn, you know. It would be better if you told him. If I tell him, he thinks I’m nagging.”
“Are you?”
“Of course not,” she said quickly. “I just worry about him.” Out in the marina, a large sailboat was heading slowly toward the Neuse River, and they both sat in silence, watching. In a minute, the bridge would swivel open to allow it passage and traffic on either side would begin to back up. Sarah had learned that if she was ever running late for an appointment, she could claim that she “got caught on the bridge.” Everyone in town from doctors to