He looked down at his watch. “Twice in forty minutes,” he said.
“What is?”
“That I’m bumping into you. Twice in forty minutes.”
“Well, at least it’s not three times,” I said, looking at my car, wishing I was inside it and driving away.
“So, what are you doing here?” he asked, his eyes briefly drifting down to the jersey around my waist and then back up to mine.
“Just . . . you know.” I waved the flower in the air and he looked at it suspiciously. His eyes drifted once again. They started on the flower and moved down, down, down, and then they stopped. I followed his eyeline to the vase on the grave that was now short one red rose. He looked back at the flower in my hand and then up at me again. My mind raced for an explanation, but all I managed was . . .
“This isnotprivate property. It’s open to the public,” I gushed, way too loudly.
He studied me carefully before responding. “That is correct,” he said. “I cannot stop you from being here. Or putting flowers down and paying your respects, if that is what you’re doing. Is it?”
“Mmmhuh?” I mumbled, ferreting around his question. “What else would I be doing here other than paying my respects?” I tried to smile at him, but the corners of my mouth were twitching anxiously.
“You know,” I declared, “I should probably go.”
“Should you?” he asked.
I nodded very enthusiastically. “Yup. Yup, I should . . .” I didn’t even bother finishing that sentence; I was already speed-walking towards my car.
“Becca,” he called after me.
I swung around. “Yes?”
“Aren’t you going to . . . ?” He pointed at the flower that was still in my hand.
I looked down at it. “Yes! Of course.” I looked around the graveyard. “Let me just find the person . . .” My voice trailed off as I pretended to look around at the graves.How had I gotten myself into this ridiculous situation?This was some fucking fork alright. A very squiggly one.
“Maybe I could help you. Who are you looking for?” He walked towards me.
“Uh . . . It’s a, um . . .”Fuck!“Uncle.”
“Oh, what’s his name?” His voice has a slight teasing quality to it.
“No worries!” I jumped. “There he is. There he is!” I rushed over to a grave and quickly dropped the flower on it and then, without thinking, did a quick sign of the cross and realized that I’d done it wrong.I really should have paid attention in Sunday school!
And then, suddenly, he was at my side, looking down at the grave.
“Oh, Fred Letty is your uncle. I didn’t realize that,” he said to me.
“What?”
“Frank Letty and the Lettys. They’ve been living here in Willow Bay for years. One of the oldest families around here.”
I nodded as my stomach plummeted. “Mmmm,” I mumbled.
“Such a tragedy, what happened to him,” Mike said, looking me square in the eyes now.
I nodded. “Such a tragedy that I don’t like to talk about it,” I offered quickly.
“I’m sure.” He continued to stare at me. “So, I take it you’re staying with them, then?” he asked.
“Who?”
“The Lettys. Ruth and Samantha and . . .” He looked at me expectantly and started opening his mouth, as if he was going to say another name. He raised his eyebrows at me, opening his mouth some more. “Ssshhhhh . . .” He made the sound, still looking at me. I opened my mouth as he held theshhhhsound.
