Chapter Thirty-nine
It’s almost seven o’clockon Saturday night and most of the residents of Carlyle Terrace are gathered outside to celebrate the Fourth of July. Sean Grant, beer in one hand, cooking utensils in the other, stands sweating over his barbecue, which he’s moved from his backyard to the middle of the street. His wife, Olivia, waits behind the rickety old bridge table provided by Julia Fisher, where stacks of hot dogs and hamburgers, courtesy of the Wilsons, are piled high on a platter. A small wooden table belonging to Maggie McKay holds buns, potato salad, and a variety of condiments. Next to it is a large cooler of beer and soda pop, contributed by Aiden and Heidi Young. An impressive collection of communal fireworks lies off to one side in a cardboard box, awaiting the first hint of darkness to be sent soaring skyward in loud, colorful bursts.
The adults chat amiably to one another as brothers Tyler and Ben Wilson engage in a rowdy game of tag, weaving in and out of their elders and into the middle of the road without fear of traffic or reprisals.
Their mother has yet to put in an appearance.
“Typical,” Sean grouses to his wife. “Thinks she’s too good for the rest of us.”
“Hey,” Tyler calls to Leo, who’s been standing on the sidelines, watching. “You want to play?”
“Can I, Mom?”
“Of course,” Maggie tells her son. “Just be care— Have fun,” she says, looking around for Erin, who seems to have vanished.
As, Maggie notices, has Mark Fisher.
Ben Wilson immediately swoops in and slaps Leo’s arm. “You’re it!” he shouts.
“How was your workout?” a voice asks as the boys take off running.
Maggie recognizes the seductively smooth tones of Nick Wilson without having to turn around. “It was good,” she tells him, swiveling toward him. “Hopefully next time, I can convince your wife to join me.” Once again, her eyes search the small gathering. “I don’t see her. Isn’t she coming?”
Nick looks toward his house. “Still getting ready. She should be out soon.”
Maggie nods. “How’d you hurt your hand?”
If he’s surprised by the question, he doesn’t show it. “Oh, that. So stupid,” he says, barely glancing at his bruised knuckles. “I was upset about a patient’s diagnosis and I took it out on a wall in my office. Really dumb thing to do. Could have broken my wrist. Think I’d know by now that you can’t save everyone.” He smiles sheepishly.
Maggie finds it interesting that in proclaiming his stupidity, he’s still managed to pat himself on the back.
“If you’ll excuse me,” he says, still smiling, “I’ll go see what’s keeping Dani.”
“Of course.” Maggie watches him walk away.
“Hey,” Heidi Young says, quickly taking his place.
“How are you feeling?” Maggie asks, noting Aiden and his mother standing off by themselves at the curb in front of their house.
“Not great. I’m pretty much nauseous all the time. Sorry about the other evening.”
“No need to apologize. It wasyourlawn.”
Heidi manages a small chuckle. “In case you couldn’t tell, my mother-in-law isn’t exactly thrilled with the news.”
“Yeah. I kind of got that.”
Heidi takes a deep breath and lowers her voice to a whisper. “She wants me to have an abortion.”
“Oh? What doyouwant?”
“I want this baby.”
“Then that’s that. It’s settled.”
“Not really. She’s pretty much convinced Aiden that this isn’t the right time….”
“Nobody can force you to do anything you don’t want to do,” Maggie assures her. “Stick to your guns. Your husband loves you, Heidi. He’ll come around.”