The House on Hope Street - By Danielle Steel Page 0,55
weeks away. He just wanted to be sure all the swelling had gone down in his brain, so there wouldn't be complications, and that sounded sensible to her. But it reminded her of something she wanted to discuss with the children. Their annual Labor Day party. They hadn't been planning to give it this year, but after what had happened, and the tragedy they'd been spared, she thought it was time for a celebration. And going back to Lake Tahoe was now impossible. It was too much for Peter to travel so soon.
“Can he go back to school on schedule?” she asked, looking concerned.
“Close enough. Maybe a week late. Nothing too dramatic. He can't drive though.” And Liz had been planning to take him on a college tour in September. That would have to wait awhile too, until he was stronger.
They talked about the details of his recovery for a while, and he invited her back to his office for a cup of coffee before she left, and she sank into a chair looking exhausted.
“Long day?” he asked, looking sympathetic. She had so much responsibility, he knew, and he was impressed by how well she handled it, how calm she was, and how loving she was with her children.
“No longer than yours,” she said kindly.
“I don't have five kids, and one in the hospital.” Or a child who was learning-delayed, and obviously needed more careful attention than the others, not to mention three adolescent daughters, who were clamoring for her attention. “When I think about it, I don't know how you do it.”
“Neither do I sometimes. You just do what you have to.”
“And you?” he asked quietly, looking at her over his coffee mug. “Who takes care of you, Liz?”
“I do. Peter sometimes. My secretary, my housekeeper, my friends. I'm pretty lucky.” It was an odd way to look at it, from his perspective. After losing her husband whom she counted on for twenty years. She was trying to do it all on her own. He admired her a lot for what she was doing, and it was obvious to him she did it well.
“When I look at you, I feel guilty for how little responsibility I have. I don't even have a goldfish. Just myself. I guess I'm pretty selfish.”
Compared to her, he felt as though he had very little to deal with.
“Just different. Everyone has different needs, Bill. You obviously know yours, and you have it the way you want it.” He was old enough to have done something about it, if he didn't. He was forty-five years old, he had said a few days before, and his life obviously suited him, just as hers did. “I'd be lost without my kids.”
“I can see why. They're all terrific. And that doesn't just happen. You put a lot into it, and it shows.” He remembered what Jamie had said about her coaching him for the Olympics. He couldn't help wondering when she found the time.
“They're worth it, and they make me happy. Speaking of which,” she said, putting down her mug and standing up, “I'd better get home before they disown me. I'll see you tomorrow.”
“I'm off for a few days, but Peter will be in good hands.” He gave her the doctor's name, and told her when he'd be back. He was going up to Mendocino.
“Have fun,” she said, smiling at him, “you've earned it.”
And that night when she went home, she talked to the kids about the Labor Day party, and she was surprised to find they had mixed emotions about it. Megan and Jamie thought it was a great idea, but Rachel and Annie thought it was a betrayal of their father to have it without him. It had been their father's favorite holiday, other than the Fourth of July.
“Who'll do the barbecue?” Rachel asked plaintively.
“We will,” Liz said calmly. “We do barbecues all the time. Peter can help. I just think we need to celebrate the fact that he's okay, and still with us.” And when she put it that way, they grudgingly accepted. By the end of the week, they were actually excited about it. They were all going to invite friends, and so was Liz. They had about sixty names on the list, and Liz was looking forward to it. It was the first time she had entertained since Jack died, but it had been eight months and seemed respectable. And Peter was thrilled when they told him about it.