Before breakfast, Cathleen stood in front of the hotel mirror for a long time, changing her part from left to right. She couldn’t remember how she wore it and how Pierce would remember her. She examined the fine lines around her eyes, and the ones between her brows from constant furrowing. She stood back taking all of herself in—and admiring the white sundress she had bought for her trip to Italy. She slipped on the pink sweater, turned to the side, then all the way around, taking in a view of her backside and smoothing out the skirt. She did not feel beautiful. She did not feel as she had in Italy. For some reason, everything felt more real here. Every line appeared larger, every curve more pronounced.
“It’s hopeless,” she said and turned away from the mirror.
Just then Colm stepped out of the bathroom. He had bathed all on his own, and his hair was still wet and shiny. He had parted it carefully with a comb. She imagined he had taken great pains to do such a fine job with his usually long, mangled mess. He wasn’t wearing his hat. He had put on his good slacks that she’d packed for him and the button-down shirt that she hadn’t even been able to get him to wear to church. He had dressed to impress. Like mother, like son, she thought. She wanted to run to him and make a fuss. She wanted to tell him how handsome she thought he looked, but she knew it would only embarrass and upset him.
“Let’s go get the guys.”
“Are you excited, Mama?”
“Yes, honey, I am. I’m excited for you.”
“I have been waiting for this moment my entire life!” Colm shouted.
Cathleen felt the pang rise inside her. She’d had no idea. I should have known better.
At breakfast, Colm could barely eat, he was so excited. He tapped his foot and fidgeted in his chair. When Cathleen ordered her second cup of coffee, he lost it.
“Really? Can’t we just hurry up and go already?”
Sean, Dr. Basu, and Cathleen looked at Colm. He was at the edge of his seat.
“OK. I’ll get the check and we can go,” Dr. Basu said. “No use making the boy suffer any longer.”
“Thank you, Dr. Basu. Thank you! At least someone understands,” Colm said, crossing his arms. He didn’t want to throw a tantrum, but he couldn’t help it. He was so anxious. He couldn’t control what he was feeling.