I was surprised to find Lin and Hunter just starting their breakfast when I came up the next morning, as I’d slept late. I seemed to wake up very early, go to the bathroom, go back to bed, and not get up until at least 8:30 a.m.
They’d been murmuring to each other but clammed up when I entered the dining room.
“Good morning, Mary!” they chirped in unison.
They seemed very happy. Had they been making love? A stab of jealousy pierced me. I turned to help myself from the sideboard to hide my face. My feelings were unreasonable considering the situation, but feelings are not so easily denied. I put a little oatmeal in a bowl and added some cream and sugar before taking my place at the table.
“We had some good news from Sven last night,” Lin said. “As you know, he will graduate next month and has won a big prize in mathematics. Not just mathematics but some special kind. I don’t quite understand it. In high school, too.”
“We are very proud of him,” Hunter added, his face a portrait of delight.
“That’s marvelous news!” I said, able to beam like the Cheshire cat. They were happy because they were proud of their son. I felt better. “When is graduation?”
“First week of June,” Lin replied. “We’ll go shopping this afternoon. I need a new outfit.”
Lin didn’t come down until around eleven. She almost bounced onto the sofa and gave a huge sigh before composing herself.