Dr. Spock.”
Trevor felt his eyes bug out. “From
Star Trek
?”
She couldn’t prevent a laugh that made her head fall back, exposing her slender throat.
Humiliated, Trevor said, “Don’t be so superior. I’ve raised my son all by myself while running a successful computer business out of my house. I haven’t had time to read books or chat with mommies or find out about the latest authorities on children.”
He saw he’d struck a nerve with Sophie. She sat up straight in her chair. “I get that, Trevor. I raised two children practically by myself.” She glanced out at the patio, where Jonah stood, eating a banana while absentmindedly observing a robin. “Their father never changed a diaper or cooked a meal. In the early years, when he was starting his architectural firm, not only did I take care of the babies but I also did all the bookkeeping for him until Zack could afford to find someone else to do it. I’m not trying to act superior and I would never interfere with your disciplining of your son. But I’ve spent a lot of time with children. Okay, Jonah is not so young anymore, but Lacey is only ten and she loves babysitting. If we’re lucky, these children will be relaxed together, and so will we.”
As she talked, Sophie’s tone changed from challenging to placating. She had an earnest expression in her eyes. She really was trying to be friendly. He’d been a jerk, lashing out like that, and he hated himself for it.
Trevor said, “I apologize. I guess I freaked out a bit about the food. But Leo and I have both been knocked off-kilter, by, um—” He gestured vaguely with his hand, not wanting to mention Tallulah’s death with Leo nearby. “We sort of need to do what’s normal. What’s comfortable. I don’t think we’re up for any changes yet.”
“I’m sorry, too,” Sophie said. “I think I understand.” She waited a beat, then two, for him to continue. “Okay, well, I’d better get organized.” She hurried from the room.
—
That first morning, the Blacks and the Andersons went into town separately. Trevor and Leo did the grocery shopping. Sophie took Lacey to the library, where they got cards and checked out books while Jonah, not thrilled at the idea of hanging out with his mother and sister, loped off exploring the streets and wharves by himself, promising to meet them at the car at noon.
As Trevor had warned, the small town was packed with people and parking spaces were scarce, although the traffic was not as bad as it would be in August. Sophie stopped at Glidden’s Island Seafood to choose salmon for dinner and then happily headed back down Surfside Road to the house.
After a casual lunch of sandwiches, everyone changed into bathing suits and drove to Surfside Beach. Trevor and Leo sat in the backseats of Sophie’s minivan—it seemed silly to take two cars. Once on the beach, they split up. Sophie established a beach chair beneath an umbrella and took turns playing in the surf with Lacey and reading. Once again Jonah ambled off by himself, walking along the water’s edge toward the distant horizon. Trevor and Leo made sand castles.
Sophie became a bit restless after an hour or so. She wasn’t used to long periods of unscheduled time. The sea was calm today, lapping at the shore in a lulling rhythm that made her want to close her eyes, but she needed to stay alert to watch Lacey. All up and down the shore, clusters of people on beach blankets laughed and talked and rubbed suntan lotion on each other. Lovely young girls in bikinis strolled past, pretending not to notice people looking at them in admiration. Sophie glanced down at her black Speedo, her good old mommy bathing suit. She could still wear a bikini. She’d brought her red one. Perhaps she’d even wear it. But not today. The sky was high and blue, the sun hot, the occasional breeze refreshing. Children screamed and giggled as the waves nibbled at their knees. Sophie felt as if she were encased in a glass
Trevor felt his eyes bug out. “From
Star Trek
?”
She couldn’t prevent a laugh that made her head fall back, exposing her slender throat.
Humiliated, Trevor said, “Don’t be so superior. I’ve raised my son all by myself while running a successful computer business out of my house. I haven’t had time to read books or chat with mommies or find out about the latest authorities on children.”
He saw he’d struck a nerve with Sophie. She sat up straight in her chair. “I get that, Trevor. I raised two children practically by myself.” She glanced out at the patio, where Jonah stood, eating a banana while absentmindedly observing a robin. “Their father never changed a diaper or cooked a meal. In the early years, when he was starting his architectural firm, not only did I take care of the babies but I also did all the bookkeeping for him until Zack could afford to find someone else to do it. I’m not trying to act superior and I would never interfere with your disciplining of your son. But I’ve spent a lot of time with children. Okay, Jonah is not so young anymore, but Lacey is only ten and she loves babysitting. If we’re lucky, these children will be relaxed together, and so will we.”
As she talked, Sophie’s tone changed from challenging to placating. She had an earnest expression in her eyes. She really was trying to be friendly. He’d been a jerk, lashing out like that, and he hated himself for it.
Trevor said, “I apologize. I guess I freaked out a bit about the food. But Leo and I have both been knocked off-kilter, by, um—” He gestured vaguely with his hand, not wanting to mention Tallulah’s death with Leo nearby. “We sort of need to do what’s normal. What’s comfortable. I don’t think we’re up for any changes yet.”
“I’m sorry, too,” Sophie said. “I think I understand.” She waited a beat, then two, for him to continue. “Okay, well, I’d better get organized.” She hurried from the room.
—
That first morning, the Blacks and the Andersons went into town separately. Trevor and Leo did the grocery shopping. Sophie took Lacey to the library, where they got cards and checked out books while Jonah, not thrilled at the idea of hanging out with his mother and sister, loped off exploring the streets and wharves by himself, promising to meet them at the car at noon.
As Trevor had warned, the small town was packed with people and parking spaces were scarce, although the traffic was not as bad as it would be in August. Sophie stopped at Glidden’s Island Seafood to choose salmon for dinner and then happily headed back down Surfside Road to the house.
After a casual lunch of sandwiches, everyone changed into bathing suits and drove to Surfside Beach. Trevor and Leo sat in the backseats of Sophie’s minivan—it seemed silly to take two cars. Once on the beach, they split up. Sophie established a beach chair beneath an umbrella and took turns playing in the surf with Lacey and reading. Once again Jonah ambled off by himself, walking along the water’s edge toward the distant horizon. Trevor and Leo made sand castles.
Sophie became a bit restless after an hour or so. She wasn’t used to long periods of unscheduled time. The sea was calm today, lapping at the shore in a lulling rhythm that made her want to close her eyes, but she needed to stay alert to watch Lacey. All up and down the shore, clusters of people on beach blankets laughed and talked and rubbed suntan lotion on each other. Lovely young girls in bikinis strolled past, pretending not to notice people looking at them in admiration. Sophie glanced down at her black Speedo, her good old mommy bathing suit. She could still wear a bikini. She’d brought her red one. Perhaps she’d even wear it. But not today. The sky was high and blue, the sun hot, the occasional breeze refreshing. Children screamed and giggled as the waves nibbled at their knees. Sophie felt as if she were encased in a glass
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