“Overreact to what?” Sam demanded, and then softened when Remi threw him a sharp look.
“That’s what I was afraid of,” Selma muttered.
“Don’t worry about him. He’s just grouchy in the mornings. You should know that by now. Just tell us what’s going on, Selma,” Remi coaxed.
“I’ve never said anything before, but my hips have finally gotten so bad that I have to have them both replaced.”
“Oh no, Selma. I’m so sorry to hear it,” Remi said.
Selma drew a long breath, as if steeling herself to dive off a cliff. “I went to the doctor about a week and a half ago, and t
hey say I can’t put it off any longer.”
“Selma! Why didn’t you tell us? No wonder you haven’t been sleeping,” Sam said.
“I know I should have said something. But the timing is terrible. We’ve got so much going on, and you’re leaving in a couple of days. I just don’t want to let you down. You’re both so busy.”
“Nonsense, Selma. You’re one of the family.”
“When do they want to do this?” Sam asked.
“They’ve scheduled me for surgery in six days. At Scripps.”
“That’s one of the best in the country, isn’t it?”
“Absolutely.”
“We’re canceling our trip to Baffin Island, or at least postponing it, until you’re back in the saddle and recovered,” Remi said, her tone firm, moving to Selma and giving her a long hug.
“Oh no. That’s exactly what I don’t want. Please, just do what you planned to do. I would feel terrible if you canceled your trip. There’s nothing you can do, anyway.”
“Yes there is,” Sam replied. “I’ll arrange for the rehab equipment you need to be set up here. You can come home directly from the hospital and we’ll find the best physical therapist. You’ll have twenty-four/seven care if I have anything to say about this.”
They were interrupted by the bathroom door closing. A young woman with a severe haircut, dyed black with shocking-red highlights, wearing black jeans and an avocado T-shirt, stood looking at them all. Selma pulled away from Remi and cleared her throat.
“I was waiting to introduce everyone. This is my niece, Kendra Hollingsworth. I asked her to come over and meet you. She’s going to be helping out while I’m . . . in the hospital and recovering. Kendra? Come meet Sam and Remi Fargo.”
Kendra stepped forward and shook hands with Remi and then with Sam. He noticed that she had a tattoo on her neck and on the inside of her wrist, and a small twinkling dot on her nose—a piercing.
“Nice to meet you,” Kendra said, her voice demure.
“Likewise,” Sam said with a quick glance at Remi, whose face was impassive.
“Kendra recently graduated from USC and she’s got some time on her hands, so she graciously agreed to help out,” Selma said, aware of the slight tension in the room. “I’ve known her since she was a baby and she’s one of the smartest people I’ve ever met. And an amazing talent.”
“What did you major in, Kendra?” Remi asked.
“Computer science and history, a double major. I wanted to go for mathematics as well, but it was too heavy a load.”
“That’s impressive,” Sam said.
Kendra shrugged. “Not so much, once you start looking for a decent job. At least, not in this environment. It’s either programming or going for a teaching credential—neither of which really interests me much. So I was really excited when Selma asked me to help out . . .”
“Have you introduced Kendra to Pete and Wendy yet?” Sam asked.
“Not yet. I was going to do it tomorrow. I wanted to give Kendra an orientation today, being as it’s quiet, Sunday and all.”
Remi moved to Sam’s side. “Selma, I want to hear more about your plans. Can you make some time to have lunch with me today?”