was a rare gift. The waning sunlight on the water was golden and rich.
“I don’t know if you remember,” said Dennis as clearly as he could, “but I grew up in this house.”
This time Paul didn’t understand. Marse spoke up before I could. “He said he grew up in this house.”
Paul nodded. “I’ve been here before. We stopped by once, before you were married. We picked up your father to go fishing. I didn’t come inside. I didn’t get to see this view.”
“We caught two marlins that day,” said Dennis, and Paul understood.
“This big,” said Paul, his arms wide, and we all laughed politely.
“It’s been too long,” said Dennis. “When was it? The air show? Margo was just a little kid.” I was surprised at how much he was talking. I could see the toll it took on him. He stopped after every sentence to swallow, then continued. “I remember being eaten alive in the Everglades.”
“We caught nothing that trip.”
“Who was that with us? Marcus?”
“Yep, Marcus Beck.”
“Good guy.”
Paul shook his head. “You know he died last year. I didn’t go to the funeral, I just heard through the grapevine.”
“We went,” said Dennis. “Nice service. His girls spoke.”
“Should I get the grub?” I said, and Marse nodded and offered to help.
In the kitchen, she said, “What do you think? I think it’s going well.”
“Sure.”
“You’re not reassuring.” She said it offhandedly, like it was a statement more on my character than on the moment.
“I’m sorry. I was so nervous.”
“You were nervous? I was nervous! I made Paul change his shirt twice.”
I found myself slightly shaky all of a sudden, as if I hadn’t eaten in a long time. I leaned against the counter with both hands. “I didn’t know what to expect. I don’t give Dennis enough credit, I guess. There’s no reason he can’t have friends, even now.”
“Especially now.”
“Something’s changing,” I said. My voice trembled. “People are here all the time. Gloria and Grady. And my goddamn son-in-law.”
“But isn’t that good? Don’t you need a break?”
“I miss my husband,” I said, but just then, I could see Dennis through the window, and I remembered standing in the same kitchen so many years before, watching Dennis and his father make their way toward the house from the dock, knowing that he was telling his father that he was going to propose to me. And now, he was more the same than he was different. His hair was lighter and thinner, but he had the same charming smile and the same way of moving his hands when he spoke. Of course there was the wheelchair, but it was easy, in that moment, to think that he was just sitting down, that we were just having some friends to dinner, and that instead of focusing on him, I should be focusing on my friend, who was in love. “I’m sorry,” I said, and I turned toward her and wrapped my arms around her shoulders. She hugged me back. She wasn’t much of a hugger, and let go early, but she tried. I said, “I’ve been so wrapped up. Paul seems very nice. And he’s obviously smitten.” This was true. While he’d been speaking, he’d glanced sideways at Marse every so often, as if for approval. He seemed robust and shining, like a person newly in love. I was envious of them, of course. I pushed down the envy—there was no room for it.
“He told me he loved me.”
“That’s wonderful.”
“I know you’re skeptical.”
I shook my head. “I’m not skeptical.” The decision was like a flipping switch: I would no longer be skeptical. Marse arranged the salmon and asparagus on a platter and sliced some lemons. I gathered plates and ice water on a tray, and together we stepped back into the evening, still warm but without the bite of the afternoon heat. The sunset was reddening. We sat down around the table, passing plates and filling them, and when we all had food in front of us, Paul did something I never would have expected. He brought his hands together and said, “I’d like to give a blessing.”
I looked at Marse. “I forgot to mention,” she said. “Paul’s a Christian. But he promises not to drag me to church.”
“Of course,” said Dennis. He bowed his head.
In a hushed tone, Paul said, “Lord, we give thanks for this abundant food, for this glorious day, and for old friends. Guide us and keep us. Amen.”
“Amen,” said Dennis.
“Amen,” said Marse.
“Let’s eat,” I said, and stood up to pour