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Shirlene
I find Hattie in her bedroom, packing her suitcase to go home. She’s leaving for her trip to Ireland in two days. A cool ocean breeze pushes through the open deck door.
“The two weeks have passed so quickly. I hate to see you go.” I sit on her bed and outline the summer-quilt squares with my finger.
“Me either. If it weren’t for my trip abroad, I’d be happy to stay.” She folds the last blouse. “However, it’s for the best.”
“What are you saying?”
“You and Cameron need time alone.”
“For what?” My throat tightens.
“I’m in the way of you two figuring out how this is all going to work.”
“You’re not in the way. I need you here.”
She sits next to me. “Shirlene, what are you afraid of?”
I fold my hands and sit up straighter. “Nothing.”
“Bull.”
“Don’t start bullying me.”
She takes my hand. “Holding onto this grudge is a way of keeping Stan alive. But he’s gone. You must start living again. It’s time to make some decisions. You’ve been given this new life. You need to live it.”
“I don’t know where to begin.”
Hattie dips her chin down and peers over her glasses. “I think you do know.”
“Don’t look at me like I’m stupid.”
“I think you do know because you’re not stupid. In denial possibly, but not stupid.”
“Surely, not with Cam. He so young, and I’m confused about so many things.”
“Then where?” she asks.
“I need to finish the labyrinth. I promised myself I’d walk it until I can forgive Stan for the vasectomy.”
“Okay. Start there.”
I rise and pace to the deck door. “Will you at least come back here after Ireland? Being alone with Cam is too much for me.”
“You’re actually admitting to being attracted to him?”
“No!” The ocean breakers are rough today. “Yes. I can never keep anything from you, Hattie.”
“When was the last time you really let go of those tight reins you hold onto for dear life?”
“I can’t remember.”
“Probably not since before Danny died.”
I walk back to Hattie. “But Stan hasn’t been gone very long.”
“You were sick for a couple of years, and then you were Stan’s nurse. That part of your relationship ended long ago. Plus, your new body is young. It has needs.” She stands. “Do you feel you’d be cheating on Stan?”
“That’s definitely part of it.” I sit back down on the bed. “If Cam is attracted to me—”
“There’s no doubt about it.”
“If he’s attracted to me and we... act, what happens next?”
“You live happily ever after.”
“You’re too damn intelligent to think this is simple!”
“Things are only as complicated as you make them.” Hattie closes her suitcase.
“I’m not ready for another relationship, and I certainly don’t want to be a wife again. I did it for seventy years. Seventy! It’s a friggin’ long time.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah. Wow. Cameron sees himself married and with a family. I don’t want to lead him on.”
“Marriage with Cam would be quite different from what you experienced before. Times are different. You’re different.”
“I loved Stan. I still do. I don’t regret marrying him. But that kind of commitment feels stifling now.” I stand up. “I need you to come back, Hattie. The minute you land in the Philadelphia airport.”
She lifts her luggage. “The twins are due to arrive while I’m in Ireland. Cassy’s mother-in-law has the first shift, but I need to be there a few weeks later.”
“Let me carry those down for you.” I take her baggage. “But you’ll stay here again first.”
“I’ll try.”
I haul Hattie’s larger suitcase to the stairs. “Cam said he’d be ready to drive up to New Jersey in about an hour.”
When we reach the living room, Cam comes in from the outside shower with only a towel wrapped around his waist. His dark hair is in tiny wet curls. His chest and arm muscles are beautifully defined. My eyes follow the line of chest hair that becomes soft as it travels down his solid abdomen and disappears into the towel.
“Is this your going-away present for me?” Hattie cackles. “Trying to make sure I come back?”
“Hattie!” I shout.
“I’m sorry.” Cam heads for the stairs. “I thought you were both in Hattie’s bedroom and I could go back to my room without bothering you.”
Hattie fans at her face. “Bother all you want.”
I slap her arm. “You’re being sexist, Hattie.”
“Oh, I don’t mind.” Cam winks at Hattie.
I turn away to avoid watching his tight bum and strong thighs travel up the steps.
Hattie leers. “You poor thing. Left alone with that hunk.”