page47 (1/2)

“Looking good, Nicky!” Parker calls, and I e a wave My nephew resumes his activity, and Parker takes a deep breath, then slides her arhten up “Lucy,” she says quietly, “Ethan got a call today from work They want him to transfer to the Atlanta branch and head up the international sales division”

I s once, twice “Well, that would be…great For hiain…And the weekend thing seeain I didn’t realize

She looks at me and bites the inside of her cheek “Lucy, I have to wonder what’s going to happen to you two if you don’thands Eventually Parker sighs “I love you both, that’s all You’re more my family than my family, and I just…” Her voice trails off “Make sure you’re doing the right thing,” she finishes

“I’o to my apartment to feed my cat

TO PUNISH ME FOR MY OVERNIGHT absence, Fat Mikey bringsthat should I ever leave hiain, this is ill happen toMrs Mole as she wonders what happened to her husband, as ostensibly going out for a tulip bulb or soroups? Does she have life insurance on Mr Mole?

“Try not to kill any him up for a nuzzle He purrs loudly, and I scratch his neck as he closes his eyes in pleasure “We’re staying at Graht,” I tell him He opens his eyes, irritated at this pronouncerasp

I toss so I’ll stay at Mo, but it doesn’t really

When I finally , pick up the carrier and turn for the door, only to yelp in surprise

My mother-in-law stands in the doorway

“I’m sorry, dear, I didn’t mean to startle you,” she says

“No, no, it’s fine,” I lie Honestly, she’s like a fox “How’s Ethan?”

“He’s a little sore Planning to go to work toh I said he should stay in bed and let e”

I can’t help a little grin at the thought of Ethan in bed, hishis battered brow Her idea of heaven, his of hell “Well, it’s probably a good sign that he wants to go back to work,” I say

“Are you nuts? He needs at least a week in bed,” she says Then she brushes a hair off my shoulder “Lucy, honey, he told us you and he broke up”

My throat slahs a ton

“Gianni and I…well, we think it’s probably a smart move,” Marie says softly “With you and Jimmy and your past and all So complicated”

“Right,” I agree distantly She gives me a sad smile—sad, but relieved

I take a deep breath, knowing Ethan would kill me for what I’m about to say “Marie, I think sometimes Ethan feels a little…second best to you and Gianni Compared to Jimmy, I mean”

She pulls back, an indignant expression crossing her face “I don’t love one of my sons more than the other, Lucy,” she says firmly

“I know Just…I know you don’t approve of where he works, and—”

“What’s not to approve of? He ! He’s an executive! We’re very proud” Her eyes shift away in a silent acknowledgment that perhaps her statement isn’t a hundred percent accurate

“Make sure he knows That’s all,” I say softly Marie shrugs, then gives a little nod “I have to run Tell Ethan I’ better” I kiss Marie’s cheek, then pause “Marie, do reirl named Doral-Anne who used to work at the restaurant? She played on Ethan’s baseball team?”

My ht The one who stole Miss Tattoo I told her she had to cover that thing up ‘We’re a family restaurant,’ I say ‘No one wants to see what you did on a bender’ She didn’t like that, but—”

“Did you know she went out with Jimmy for a while?” I interrupt

Marie freezes, and once more, her eyes slide away “Yes I knew Let me tell you, ere awfully happy when you showed up, Lucy Sure, you weren’t Italian, but at least you were Catholic and a nice girl, you knohat I irl was trash”

I look at ht when Ethan was hit, Doral-Anne took care of Nicky Did you know that?”

Her mouth takes on that So? expression the Mirabellis do so well…the slightly defensive posture, the jutting chin, the lifted eyebrow “Took care of Nicky how?”

“Parker ran into the street to help Ethan, and Nicky was crying and scared, and she picked hiuy wouldn’t have to see his daddy lying unconscious in the street

Marie remains unimpressed

“I’ve got to go,” I say again We walk down the hall together Fat Mikey yowling at the indignity of being carried in such a fashion

“Come for dinner at the restaurant one of these days, honey,” she calls as I press the button for the elevator “You kno Gianni likes to cook for you”

“Will do,” I answer, s The second the doors close, my smile drops like an anvil

THE STRANGE, NUMB VERSION OF MYSELF continues for the next few days I return to the bakery, waking long before anyone else is around, and go through thethe the tops with robotic precision I’ve never been nificant look onbefore he even cohts with Mo I couldn’t hide forever Corinne and Ema USA

I haven’t seen Ethan Not at all Marie told me he’s away on business His absence is a hole in my heart

On Friday afternoon, I find myself alone in the bakery Without the proe took care of the evening deliveries The cooler hums The cases have been cleared, Rose’s sad cookies refrozen for a h rease fro,” I say out loud My voice echoes

I go out the front door and lean against the lareen Yet another sunny October day, the sky a deep and aching blue, the last few leaves of the beech trees clinging precariously Over the sounds of the wind and a distant soccer gah, a ragged V for and talking as they head south for the winter Good luck, I think Be careful Don’t get shot Mind the airplanes

A bright flash of color rounds the corner—yellow skirt, orange winter boots, purple coat, orange poncho

“Grinelda!” I bark