Chapter 16
I folded the letter. “She's been dead fourteen years and she's still giving us homework.” “Again: accountant.”
The cottage needed work. Not catastrophic work. Ordinary neglected-house work. Dust. Loose hinges. A refrigerator that made a sound like a disappointed cow.
Mara spent an hour trying to fix a porch light before discovering the bulb was burned out. Mom laughed so hard she had to sit down.
“I checked the wiring.” “You dismantled half the fixture.” “It could have been electrical.” “It was a bulb.” “Thank you, Helen.”
Mom stopped smiling. “What?”
Mara froze. Neither of us called Mom Helen. Except Ruth had. For a second, it felt as if Aunt Ruth were standing in the kitchen with us.
Then Mom smiled. “You sounded exactly like her.”
Mara put the screwdriver down. “I'll accept that.”
We spent the afternoon cleaning. In the hall closet, I found old board games. Mom discovered Ruth's collection of mystery novels. Mara found Deborah. Not the frog. A faded Polaroid. Eight-year-old Mara crouched near the lake, holding a frog at arm's length. Someone had written DEBORAH on the bottom.
Mara stared at it. “I told you.” I laughed. “I'm sorry I doubted Deborah.” “She deserves respect.”
That evening, we cooked spaghetti. Ruth's stove had only three working burners. Mara made too much pasta. Some things never changed. We ate on the porch while the lake turned gold beneath the setting sun. For several minutes, no one talked about the house.
Then Mom said, “I should leave.” “You don't have to,” I said. “Ruth's instructions said the two of you.” “Ruth isn't going to arrest you.” “She might.” Mara nodded solemnly. “Her ghost probably carries tax forms.”
Mom smiled. But she eventually drove home. Mara and I remained. We made tea and took two blankets down to the dock.
The night was cool. I rested one hand on my stomach. The baby moved. A slow roll beneath my palm.
Mara noticed. “Can I?” I guided her hand. We waited. Another movement. Her face changed. “Hello in there.”
May you like
I smiled. “You know the baby can't understand you.” “I assume exceptional intelligence.” “Obviously.” “Runs in the family.” “Which side?” “Mine.” “We have the same parents.” “Details.”
We sat quietly. Then Mara asked, “Do you know what you're going to answer?” “Ruth's question?” “Yes.”
