“I’d be careful, Lang,” his sister said as they sat sipping tea on their parents’ front porch. “She’s pretty fragile right now.”
“I know. I’m trying to cheer her up.”
“Well, just be careful. For your own sake and hers. I’ve never seen Beth Morgan unglued the way she is now. She’s always been the stalwart, steady presence in that wild group. She was their rock during Emma’s long rehabilitation.”
“I heard about that. Pretty remarkable.”
“Yes, it was. Chris was sure we could help her, and he was right.”
“How’s Doc Heavers doin’, anyway?”
“Actually, a bit better. We’re hoping for a miracle there, too.”
“Hope so.”
“I cannot imagine a world where I cannot seek his wisdom and advice.”
“So, Ben Morgan fathered a child he didn’t know about for four years?”
Rose nodded, her eyes sad. “He’s over the moon about her. Making up for lost time, I expect.”
“You’re not over him any more than I am Cilla.”
“Yes, I am. Stop it. Are you still regretting the breakup with Cilla?”
“No, we weren’t good for each other, and we would have driven each other crazy. It’s just…there are things about her I miss.”
“Of course there are. I liked Cilla.”
“Don’t bullshit me, sis. You were thrilled to see the back of her.”
“Was not!”
“Was, too. Now, tell me about Dad,” he said, lowering his voice.
“Don’t worry about whispering. He sleeps like a log, and Mom has a white noise machine. He sleeps in his old study most nights. Says it’s very British of them to sleep in separate bedrooms, but it’s really because he snores like a freight train and often drinks and smokes cigars at night.”
“Lucky Mom.”
“I’m not home that often, but it seems like he might be doing a little better. I’m a bit worried about the anniversary party next weekend. It’s those kinds of events when he tends to overdo, and then there’s an incident.”
“Like?”
“Now, don’t get in a rage if I tell you this.”
“Out with it, Rosie.”
“As you know, he often yells at Mom when he’s drunk, but a couple of months ago after an event at the club, don’t remember what, Mom was trying to calm him down and get him to bed and he lashed out and hit her. Broke her jaw.”
“Jesus Christ, why didn’t you call me?”
“She tried to pretend she’d fallen, but Neecy called me. I came right away and took her to an emergency room in Tucson because she refused to go to Valley Hospital. While we waited for the doctor, I wormed it out of her. She was so embarrassed. Didn’t go out of the house for over a month. Had to cancel everything, all her Cowbelle work, Women’s Union, bridge. Leonora Morgan called constantly, wanting to come over, and finally just showed up. Mom confided in her, I guess, but swore her to secrecy.”
“Will she respect that?”
Rose nodded. “Leonora has her faults, but she’s Mom’s best friend and would do anything for her. She wanted to talk to Dad or have Ben Senior do it, but Mom forbade it.”
“Rosie, you should have called. Has this happened before?”
“Mom swears no, if you can believe it. Says this time was an accident.”
“Did you talk to Dad?”
“Yes, but he stalked out of the room and told me it was none of my business.”
“Why the hell are we throwing that bastard a party?”
“It’s for Mom, Lang. She deserves to celebrate a little.”
“Celebrate what? She’s been saddled with that asshole for forty years. The party should be celebrating her leaving him, or better still, kicking him out. It was her inheritance that made all this possible. She has good help. They could run this without that bastard.”
Rose reached over and put her hand on her brother’s. “That’s Mom’s decision. We need to stay out of it, at least for now.”
“If he so much as raises his voice to her, I’m going to knock him silly.”
“Let’s go to bed. You’ve got a busy day ahead of you, I hear. Maybe when you take the farm tour, I’ll come along.”
“Oh? Of course, you’d be welcome.”
Rose laughed. “Now who’s bullshitting? Besides, Mom’s list is a mile long. I’ve got to get started on it, and I’m giving some items to you.”
“Well, then, why don’t we both tour the farm, then do errands together?”
She patted his hand again. “No, thanks. I’ve seen it. It’s amazing, though, so you should go while you’re here. Mom and I are going shopping for last-minute party stuff and maybe some clothes before I start on the party list.”
“Lucky you. Night, sis. Good to see you.” He kissed the top of her head. Then they headed into the house together.