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ready to make changes, or she hadn't been. She wondered if she'd feel differently now, after the summer. She didn't know yet.

“I think you were smart not to do anything too quickly. You can always sell the house, if you really want to. It's probably good for Pip not to have the trauma of moving. That would be a big change for her, if you've lived there for a long time.”

“Since she was six, and she loves it. More than I do.”

They sat quietly then for a while, enjoying each other's company, even in silence. And when he finished his wine, he stood up, and she joined him. By then, the fire was slowly dying.

“I'll call you next week,” he said, and it reassured her. He was a solid, reliable male presence in her life, like a brother. “Call if you need anything, or if there's anything I can do for you or Pip.” He knew he'd worry about them.

“Thank you, Matt,” she said gently. “For everything. You've been a wonderful friend, to both of us.”

“I intend to stay that way,” he said, and put an arm around her as she walked him to his car.

“So do we. Take care of yourself. Don't be too lonely out here, it's not good for you. Come to see us in the city, it will distract you.” Now that she knew more about his life, she could imagine how alone he must feel at times, just as she did. So many people they had loved and cared about had left their lives, through death and divorce, and circumstances that neither of them had wanted. The tides of life that swept away people and places and cherished moments all too quickly, just as the ocean had swept away the boy they'd saved only days before.

“Goodnight,” he said softly, not knowing what else to say to her. He waved as he drove away, and watched her walk back into the house, and then he drove back to his bungalow down the beach, wishing that he were braver, and that life were different than it was.

12

“GOOD-BYE, HOUSE,” PIP SAID SOLEMNLY AS THEY LEFT it. Ophélie locked the door, and dropped the keys in the mail slot at the realtor's on the way out. The summer was over. And as they drove past the narrow winding street that Matt lived on, Pip was strangely silent. She didn't speak until they were on the bridge, and then she turned to her mother. “Why don't you like him?” she said almost angrily. Her tone was an accusation. Ophélie had no idea who she was talking about.

“Like who?”

“Matt. I think he likes you.” Pip was glaring at her, and totally confusing her mother.

“I like him too. What are you talking about?”

“I mean like a man… you know… like a boyfriend.”

They were nearly at the tollbooth, and Ophélie was fumbling for her money, and then glanced at her daughter. “I don't want a boyfriend. I'm a married woman,” she said firmly, as she found the money.

“No, you're not. You're a widow.”

“That's the same thing. Nearly. Whatever brought this on? And no, I don't think he likes me ‘as a girlfriend.’ And if he did, it wouldn't make a difference. He's our friend, Pip. Let's not spoil that.”

“Why would it spoil it?” She sounded stubborn. She had been thinking about it all morning. And she already missed him.

“It just would. Trust me. I'm a grown-up. I know. If we got involved, someone would get hurt or upset about something, and then it would be all over.”

“Does someone always get hurt?” Pip looked disappointed. This was not encouraging information.

“Almost always. And then you don't like each other anymore, and you don't get to stay friends. And he wouldn't see you. Think how sad that would be.” Ophélie was very definite in her opinion on the subject.

“What if you got married? Then none of that would happen.”

“I don't want to get married again. And neither does he. He got very badly hurt when his wife left him.”

“Did he tell you that? About not wanting to get married again?” Pip sounded suspicious. It didn't sound likely to her.

“More or less. We talked about his marriage and divorce. It sounded very traumatic.”

“Did he ask you to marry him?” She looked suddenly hopeful.

“Of course not. Don't be silly.” It was a ridiculous conversation, from Ophélie's perspective.

“Then how do you know that's how he feels?”

“I just know it. Besides, I don't want to get remarried. I still feel