The ironic accuracy of her aunt’s statement socked Zoey right in the chest and she barely managed to choke back another sob.If a benign remark about Jess can reduce me to tears six years after she died, how can I expect Aunt Ivy to be okay by autumn?she worried, as sleep overtook her.
Zoey had fallen into such a deep slumber that Ivy had to wake her for supper instead of the other way around. By then she remembered she still hadn’t called Mark—she hadn’t turned on her phone, for that matter. But she put it off until after she’d eaten and done the dishes. And then Gabi returned home and she chatted with her about Nick and Aidan coming for supper on Sunday evening.
“Can I invite Amy and Connor, too?”
Zoey was secretly delighted that she’d finally get to meet some of Gabi’s friends, but she played it cool. “Sure, as long as it’s okay with Aunt Ivy.”
When she couldn’t postpone it any longer, she took her phone to her room and powered it up, discovering that Mark had left her a long text and three messages. She didn’t bother to read or listen to them, since she figured she’d get an earful when she called him anyway. Even on a good day, she could only tolerate so many of Mark’s diatribes.
“It’s about time,” he snarled by way of greeting. “Where were you?”
“Eating supper in the kitchen.” Zoey hadn’t intended to sound so derisive but Mark’s demanding tone immediately sent her off.
“You know what I meant. Where were you when Ivy was practically having a heart attack?”
“She wasn’t practically having a heart attack. She has chronic chest pain. It’s called angina, for future reference. Her cardiologist has been monitoring it and he prescribed nitro pills. As soon as she took one, she was fine. I’m sorry if you were alarmed but it wasn’t a big deal.”
Why am I apologizing? Youweren’talarmed. By the time you called Nick back, Ivy was fine and the pseudo emergency was over,Zoey wanted to say, but didn’t.Furthermore, I could have sworn I told you about her angina before.
“Not a big deal? Then why did the handyman call me in a panic?” Before Zoey could respond, he repeated. “You still haven’t answered my question—where were you?”
Maybe it was his reference to Nick as “the handyman” or just his controlling, condescending attitude in general, but Zoey shot back, “I’m not under house arrest and you’re not my jailer. But for your information, I had an important interview in Providence.” She hadn’t meant to let that last part slip but sometimes when Mark affronted her, she spoke faster than she thought.
“A job interview? Are you unemployed?” He sounded incredibly disdainful for someone who didn’t have a job himself. “All this time I thought you’d taken a leave from your position because you cared so much about Ivy and Sylvia—”
“That’sexactlywhy I came here,” Zoey interrupted. “My library branch just so happened to close at around the same time Aunt Sylvia came down with pneumonia. It was either I came here to help or she would have had to recover in a rehab center off-island because Aunt Ivy couldn’t have given her the kind of care she needed.”
“What a coincidence. Are you sure the real reason you’re there isn’t so you can save on living costs in Providence?” Mark jeered. “Do you even have your apartment any more?”
Zoey had to bite her tongue to keep from asking if he was talking toheror to the mirror.Lucky for you I promised Aunt Ivy I wouldn’t say I knew anything about your situation,she thought.
“It’s a townhome and yes, I still own it. Thanks for inquiring about my welfare. And hey, thanks for checking up on Aunt Ivy later this afternoon—oh, wait. You didn’t, did you?”
“Don’t act as if I don’t care. I’m not the one who abandoned her for hours without telling her where I was going or how she could reach me.”
“Are you kidding me? I don’t even go to the back yard without telling Aunt Ivy, first!”
“So you told her and she forgot?”
I fell right into that trap,Zoey thought. She’d rather take the blame unjustly than to give her cousin ammunition to imply their aunt wasn’t fit to live alone. “I mentioned it to her but I should have written it down.” Zoey faked a self-deprecating laugh, hoping to lighten the tension. “I can’t even remember my own schedule sometimes, so it’s not fair to expect Aunt Ivy to keep track of it.”
“What’s not fair is that for some reason you don’t want her to get the help she obviously needs.”
What part of what I just said about why I came here don’t you understand?Zoey silently fumed. “Iamhelping her.”
“What’s she going to do when you leave? Or don’t you ever plan to?”
“Of course I plan to leave.” Zoey stopped herself before she blurted out that if she got the job, it wouldn’t start until late August. The fewer details Mark had about her schedule, the better. She decided to try to empathize with her cousin. “Listen, Mark. I understand you’re concerned about Aunt Ivy and I am, too. She’s just suffered an enormous loss and she’s not quite herself. I believe it’s temporary. It’s going to be challenging, but eventually she’ll adjust—her background shows how resilient she is. If she doesn’t, we can talk to her about… about making some changes. Meanwhile, I’m here to help. And before I go, I intend to line up resources for her, whether that means additional housekeeping, medical intervention, a social network. Whatever she needs, I’ll make sure she has it before I leave.”
“I don’t get it. What’s in it for you?”
Only you would have to ask that question.“Iloveher.”
“Then why would you put her through this?”
“I’m notputtingher through anything! She’s grieving. It’s a process. I’m trying to support her.”
Mark was relentless. “By upsetting her like you did today?”
