from you. On Lombard.”

“I heard.” I pulled on a pair of loose corduroy pants.

“How can you be so nonchalant?”

“I’m not. But it’s not like I can do anything about it.” Why was he trying to upset me? “Look, I really can’t talk now.”

“I’m serious, Zoe. Nobody knows if this maniac does strictly babysitters. How big a leap is it from a babysitter to an unmarried woman caring for a kid?”

“Thanks, Michael. That makes me feel real safe.”

“I don’t mean to alarm you. I’m just concerned.”

“That’s sweet. But you don’t need to be. And, like I said, I’ve got to go.”

“What, you got a hot date or somethin’?” His tone was sarcastic, as if the idea were absurd. There was a tiny, awkward pause while he realized that, oh, maybe it wasn’t so absurd; maybe Zoe actually did have a hot date. “Oh, hey. Do you? Is it the same guy? From the other night?” He couldn’t help it, had to ask, and I couldn’t help responding with silence, even though I had nobody to go out with. Nick appeared on the bed, his head on Michael’s pillow. I blinked him from my mind.

“Well, good for you. So. Is he as good-looking as I am?”

“Don’t even start, Michael.” I fluffed the pillow, smoothed the comforter.

Molly wandered in, dressed for gymnastics. “I’m ready, Mommy,” she announced.

“Michael, chatting with you is grand, but I really have to go.”

“Okay, then—oh, by the way, have you thought any more about the ring?” He strained to sound casual.

“Actually, no.”

“Because I’ll give you five thousand for it. You can buy yourself a great new ring for that.”

Was he serious? He sounded desperate, and I felt sorry for him. But I wasn’t going to let him pressure or manipulate me. Not again.

“Or—have it appraised. I’ll pay whatever they say. How about it?”

Women were disappearing, and all Michael could think about was getting a diamond ring. I looked at the clock; it was time to leave. “Let’s talk later, Michael.”

“It’s a fair deal, Zoe. I’m not cheating you.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Promise?”

“Yes. Michael, I’m late.” “Okay, okay. But—Zoe?”

“What?” If he mentioned the ring again, I was going to slam the phone down.

“Just... be careful, okay?”

I was touched. Michael was genuinely concerned about me. “Thanks. I will.”

“And think about the ring? Like I said, I’ll go as high as the appraiser says.”

Before he could say another word, I hung up, breaking the connection, wishing it could be that simple.

THIRTY-SIX

EVEN WITH THE BAD WEATHER, GYMNASTICS CLASS WAS packed. All the moms showed up, even Leslie. Pale and thin, she seemed to have lost weight in just days. She hadn’t answered her phone or returned calls all week. But she’d shown up for the meeting. And I was glad to see her. “Are you managing okay?” I asked her.

“You should go to your mother-in-law’s place in Florida,” Karen advised. “Get some sun for a few days. Thaw out.”

“I can’t. It’d probably rain and I’d be stuck inside with Billy and my mother-in-law.”

There were sympathetic chuckles. “Well, we’re glad you’re here.”

“Besides, Florida wouldn’t be an escape. Tamara’d still be gone no matter where I went.” “But you’d get a change of scene.”

Leslie shook her head. “You don’t leave your head behind. Trouble travels with you.”

Charlie whispered for me to go home and stay there. I shrugged him away, but he was in my head. Like trouble.

“Leslie, you should get some pills—Zoloft or Paxil. Ask your doctor. You don’t have to feel so bad, even with all that’s happened.” Davinder was the local expert on prescription drugs.

“Yeah, I know,” Leslie sighed. “But pills won’t change the truth. Those poor girls. And Tamara—I really miss her. I really, really do.”

“Oh, come on,” Gretchen piped up. “Let’s stop concentrating on the bleak side. Life could be a whole lot worse.” She smiled, pleased, as if she thought she’d said something helpful.

With that, Susan cleared her throat and stood to begin the meeting. “Well, it looks like most everyone’s here, so let’s get started. Why don’t we begin by brainstorming? List everything we’ve thought of to do, and then form a committee to follow up on each? I’ll read my list to start with, and then we can add other ideas.”

The discussion took off, women sharing ideas, uniting their efforts, combining their strengths. We formed six committees. I’d volunteered as a block captain for town watch and as cochair with Gretchen to set up a buddy program, so young women wouldn’t travel the neighborhood alone. Finally, with committees