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"You must have a wonderful mother," Anne said

"I did She died earlier this year" Julie paused as though it was difficult to speak of her ave the girl’s arentle squeeze "It’s harder around Christmas, isn’t it? Especially the first Christmas"

Julie nodded "Dad and I don’t have the tree up yet We just can’t see we can do it this weekend"

Anne tried to think of a way to introduce her son into the conversation "Roy isn’tChristmas He’ll come to my place for the day, but only because he knoant hio to the office and appreciate the fact that he isn’t likely to be interrupted" It hurt a little to ade, is he?"

Anne smiled and matched her steps to Julie’s "Yes, I do believe he is"

"Oh,abruptly "Did you see that?"

"See what?" Anne looked around and didn’t see anything out of the ordinary

"A fish just flew!"

"A fish flew," Anne repeated, certain she’dmen throw them back and forth," she reminded Julie

"Yes, I know, but one just took off on its own--no one was standing next to it" She shook her head uncertainly "I oes another one!"

Anne looked at the fresh seafood nestled on a bed of crushed ice Sure enough, a huge coho sale prawns Just as she noticed it was out of place, the salht up in the air and started to spin tail over fins, as if soht it on a line Anne rubbed her eyes, convinced she was hallucinating

"Did you see that?" Julie whispered

"I did," Anne said "I think we should get out of here There’s soree with you more"

Arms linked, the tomen walked quickly out of the crowded market Anne couldn’t believe other people hadn’t seen this startling phenomenon But no one else had reacted at all, let alone with awe or astonishment

Fifteen minutes later, they were in an Italian eatery off a side street They sat at a small table with a red-checkered tablecloth; a half-melted candle stuck in an empty wine bottle served as the centerpiece It reminded Anne of the inexpensive restaurants, usually situated in basements, that she and Burton used to frequent when he was in law school… She cast off the nostalgia before it could trap her

Anne and Julie both ordered a glass of Chianti with their spinach salads

"I’ht," Julie said after her first sip of wine "We…had dinner last night"

"And on Wednesday and Thursday" Anne had found this out quite by accident when she’d phoned the house to arrange her luncheon date with Julie It had given Anne such hope, such encourage her know that her father had invited him on Thursday--but that didn’t explain Wednesday Or Friday

"We talked for a long tihtened around the ste up and shouting for joy She wondered how much of their story Julie knew, so she asked, "Did he mention Aimee?"

Julie’s eyes held hers "No Is she the reason you suggested lunch?"

"Not really" Anne shrugged "I hope you don’t think I’m a busybody"

"Of course not"

"I’lad Roy’s finally aze and Anne realized she’d spoken out of turn "Oh, dear, forgive me I shouldn’t have said that"

"I don’t know if Roy loves me--and it’s far too soon to kno I feel about hi I’randchildren" The instant those words were out, Anne realized she’d done it again

"Grandchildren?" Julie’s eyes grew huge

"Oh, dear," Anne gasped "I do see lass down, determined not to take another sip until she’d fully recovered froue Every word embarrassed her more

"I take it Roy was once in love with Aiht their salads

"He wanted to marry her, but she chose…someone else" Anne hoped to avoid thehow successful Roy is now, I irined and lowered her fork "Forgiveto say"

Ihts, Anne was confused "Dreadful? How?"

"I didn’t mean to imply that the only reason Aimee or any woman would love Roy is because he’s successful"

"I know you didn’t ," Anne assured her "Besides, you’re wrong"

Julie looked puzzled, and Anne felt obliged to explain "Airets"

"Then she’s happy?"

"I wouldn’t know You see--" Anne took a deep breath "--she’s h she tried hard to keep her emotions out of it, Anne heard the hint of bitterness in her voice "I’m sorry, Julie, I meant my ex-husband"

The linen napkin on Julie’s lap slipped unnoticed to the floor "No wonder Roy has a problem with trust," she whispered "His fiancée, his father…"