Summer Island

Ruby paled. “Oh, my God . . . ”

Nora watched the memories move through Rubys eyes. She knew her daughter was thinking back to lazy summer days spent down at the lake with Dean and Eric. It was a long time before Ruby found her voice. “How bad is it?”

“Bad. ”

“Is he going to die?”

t hurt to answer. “Yes, honey, he is. ”

Ruby slumped forward, burying her head in her hands. “I should have stayed in contact with him. God . . . ” She fell silent, shaking her head, and Nora knew her daughter was crying. “It seems like yesterday we were all together. I cant imagine him . . . sick. ”

“I know. I keep thinking about those Fourth of July barbecues. I used to watch you and Dean on the beach. Youd hold hands and duel with your sparklers. I could hear your laughter all the way up here, and when you got older; and started whispering . . . then I worried. ”

Ruby looked up. Tears spiked her eyelashes, made her look about ten years old. “I never knew that. ”

“Motherhood is full of secret worries. ” Nora realized a second too late that shed made herself vulnerable. She should never have used the word secret. But, thankfully, Ruby had bigger things on her mind.

“Can we visit Eric?”

“Of course. Hes staying at the old house on Lopez. I know hed love to see you. ” Nora leaned back in her chair and stared out at the Sound. “Sometimes, when I close my eyes, I can picture all of us. You, me, Caroline . . . Eric and Dean. What I remember most are days out on the Wind Lass. Dino and Eric loved that boat . . . ”

“I know what youre doing,” Ruby said after a long pause; her voice was thick and low. “You want me to remember. ”

“Yes. ”

“Remembering stuff like that hurts. ”

“I know, honey. But-”

Inside the house, the phone rang. Ruby got slowly to her feet and went inside. The screen door banged shut behind her. “Hello?”

Nora could hear Rubys half of the conversation.

“Who is this? Oh, Im her daughter; Ruby. . . Yes, she is. . . just a minute, Ill get her. Nora?” Ruby yelled. “Its your personal assistant, Dee. ”

“Tell her Im not here. ”

Ruby opened the screen door and poked her head out. “I already told her you were here. Come on. Shes waiting. ”

Nora wheeled into the kitchen and took the phone. “Hello, Dee. ”

“Oh, Nora, thank God. A box of letters just landed on your desk. There was nothing I could do about it. Tom Adams called-he threatened to get me fired if I didnt forward them to you. Today. ” Dee made a sniffling sound. “I need this job, Nora. I know youd never fire me, but what if . . . you know . . . ”

“I lose my job. ” Nora sighed. “I understand completely. Go ahead and mail the stuff to me at the address I gave you. ”

“Tom wants me to send Lake Union Air up for todays delivery. ”

Of course. With Tom, everything had to happen instantly. “Did you read the letters, Dee?”

“Uh . . . a few. ”

Noras stomach turned sour. “How bad is it?”

“Its ugly, Nora

. People around here are starting to talk to the tabloids . . . theyre not saying nice things . . . and some lady in Iowa went on television last night and said she was going to file a lawsuit against you. Fraudulent advice or some stupid thing. ”

Nora glanced over at Ruby, who was shamelessly eavesdropping. “Okay, Dee. Send me the letters. ”