here, and the stuff at the other park is funner.”
“OK, Sport. We can do that.”
After driving to the other side of town, they reached a neighborhood with newer homes. Ranch style houses and two story colonials mingled with more modern dwellings of stone and glass. They passed a sprawling school on the way. When they reached the park, a throng of children was playing on the swings, teeter-totters, and slides. Jonathan hurried off to a small merry-go-round where an older child pushed it before hopping on himself.
Marnie and David sat on a bench where they could watch the action.
“I’m so glad he could get out of the house today.”
“Yes. The snow and cold this winter has kept us inside on the weekends. He deserves to get out and play,” David answered, hooking his elbows over the back of the bench.
“I think I’d go stir-crazy being cooped up in the house day after day.”
“Maybe that’s why you never stayed home,” he replied sharply.
“Maybe. But why didn’t I take him out with me?”
“Because he would cramp your style? Maybe because you didn’t want people to see you as a mother? I don’t know, Marnie. I don’t know why you don’t, or didn’t, love your son.”
“I love him now, and that’s all I know.”
They were quiet for a while, watching Jonathan move from the merry-go-round to the slide, taking turns with the other children. Nothing more could be said about Marnie’s past that hadn’t been repeated over the last few days.
“This looks like a pleasant neighborhood,” Marnie commented. “Nice homes and lots of children.”
“It is. I lived in this neighborhood before my father and uncle died.”
“I think you or Alice once said something about your moving back home then.”
“Yes. My mother just couldn’t be alone, so I sold my condo and moved back in with her.”
“That was good of you.”
He raised one eyebrow as if to question her meaning, so she tried to reassure him. “Really. It’s what you should have done if she needed you.”
As Jonathan ran to the teeter-totters with another boy about his size, Marnie turned her face up to the sun and closed her eyes. “This feels so good,” she said.
When she opened her eyes, she noticed David was staring at her, but he turned away quickly.
Searching for a neutral subject, she asked. “The school we drove by on this street, is that where Jonathan will start to school?”
“No, his school will be on the other side of town, closer to the house.” He stood and reached a hand out to her. “It’s time we did some shopping.” He called out, “Jonathan, it’s time to go. Come on.”
Jonathan hurried to them. “Daddy, that’s my friend Ricky I was playing with. He wants to know if I can come to this park again sometime.”
“Someday, Jonathan. I’ll try to bring you again someday.”
Chapter 28
When they walked out of the department store, David’s arms were filled with bags. He had purchased everything they could think Jonathan might need: jeans, shirts, socks, underwear, pajamas, and a lightweight jacket. Marnie was stunned by the amount of money David spent without comment.
Why should I be surprised? she thought. He is obviously a wealthy man from a wealthy family. From the looks of my closet, I must have spent money the same way.
“Next comes shoes, buddy,” David told the boy who was skipping along beside them.
Marnie was trying to hold his hand, but it was a difficult task with his jumping and bouncing at every step.
“I’ll tell you what, Jonathan. If you’ll walk calmly and not jump around so your mother can hold your hand, we’ll buy you a special treat.”
Jonathan immediately slowed down to a normal pace. He looked up at Marnie for a few seconds and then reached to take her hand.
“What treat?” he asked.
“You’ll see. I have to see if you’re going to behave,” David said in a solemn voice.
They entered a store that sold athletic shoes. Jonathan’s eyes widened when he saw the vast assortment of shoes. The salesman measured his feet, and when they left, he was wearing a new pair of shoes and carrying another.
“Now, let’s go get you a prize for being so good,” David said.
When they entered the toy store, Jonathan’s face lit up.
“I’ve never seen so many toys,” he said. “I didn’t know there were this many toys in the whole world.”
“This is where I bought the things I gave you yesterday,” Marnie told him.
Marnie felt like they had looked at every toy in the shop. She