Esther had never been more thankful for Talmadge’s support than when she called to report, “CFM has severed my home access to the bank’s system. My data array has gone blank. I feel like I can’t breathe.”
“Explain that to me in words my grandkids might understand.”
But ninety seconds into her explanation, Talmadge cut her off and said he had no idea what she was talking about or why this was so important, except for one thing. “This means the bank is worried.”
“Upset is probably a better way to describe it. Irritated. Like swatting a fly.”
“Did you see today’s article in the Journal, the one talking about the six hundred million outflow from your enemy banks?”
“They’re not my enemies, but yes, I saw it.” She hesitated, then added, “I heard from a friend in New York this morning. The ante is over a billion now.”
“I got an office with your name on the door.”
“I have an office, thank you very much.”
He laughed out loud. “You best jump while you still can. Before they shove you off the cliff themselves.”
“I’m thinking about that.”
“You do that. Stay close to your phone. I’ll have somebody who speaks geek call you right back.”
Less than three minutes later, a young woman phoned, breathless from having just received a call from the company owner. Yes, she understood what Esther needed. Yes, Burroughs Motors had access to a financial data array. Their provider was far less sophisticated than the one the bank used, but the technician assured her that Talmadge had already signed off on anything extra she might require. The young woman did not try to hide her envy when Esther mentioned that her home was linked by fiber-optic cable. Ten minutes more and Esther’s screens came back to life.
Samantha and Abigail were offered two of Esther’s laptops for their e-game, but the girls preferred watching Esther learn to navigate the new system. Craig went to a deli and came back with sandwiches, and they ate a late lunch in her office. Esther described her new hedge fund and explained her need to have it all in place before close of business the next day. She knew the girls did not understand much of what she was saying. But both of them seemed to like how she spoke to them as adults, introducing them to a different world. Craig said little, though his eyes rarely left her.
After the meal, Abigail helped Esther clean up while Samantha returned to her game, which she assured them with teenage intensity was an extremely serious matter. Craig moved to the dining room table to work on a talk he was delivering at church that evening.
Abigail helped wrap the remaining sandwiches and pickles in plastic and stowed them in the fridge. As Esther rinsed the plates and loaded the dishwasher, Abigail put the wrappings in the garbage, then accepted Esther’s offer of Häagen-Dazs Rocky Road, which Esther explained was her emergency comfort food.
Midway through the bowl of ice cream, Abigail declared around a bite, “My mom and her new husband never hug each other.”
Esther’s movements became slow as she sorted through her thoughts, looking for the proper response. “You mean, your stepfather.”
“I don’t like that word.”
“Okay, fine.”
“I call him Hank. Samantha too. That’s his name.”
“Understood.”
Abigail inspected her reflection in the spoon. “Hank says affection should be kept private.”
Esther closed the dishwasher and quietly settled onto the stool opposite Abigail. The doors leading to the dining room were slid shut, but Esther had the distinct impression that Craig was listening.
Abigail went on, “Hank says how a couple express their feelings is between them alone.”
Esther asked, “Do you understand the word diplomatic?”
Abigail took another bite. “Sort of.”
“Diplomatic is like a big suitcase. You open it up and all sorts of things come out.”
“I was talking about Mom and Hank.”
“I know you were. And I’ll listen carefully to whatever you want to tell me. But it would not be diplomatic of me to respond, except to say that I understand. And that I care for you.”
Her response caused Abigail’s lower lip to tremble. She said to her bowl, “Daddy told us what you said to him. About what we want being important.”
Esther simply nodded.
Abigail said, “It made Samantha cry.”
A voice from the hall said, “You did too.”
“Yeah, but you never cry.”
Esther rose and walked to the doorway. She took Samantha by the hand and pulled her into the kitchen.
Samantha said, “Not one of those hug things again.”
“You betcha.” Esther embraced the girl, then reached out one arm and gestured for Abigail to join them.
Samantha squirmed at her sister’s approach, but not too hard. “Yuck.”
Esther held them as tight as she could, breathing in their fresh scent. “You two are so special it makes my heart full just to be in the same room.”
They stayed like that for a long moment, until Esther felt Samantha’s arm encircle her waist. Then the doors leading to the dining room slid open, and another pair of arms enfolded them all.
Esther closed her eyes and thought how the house was finally becoming a home.