Page 57 of Learning at 40

“I wouldn’t be surprised if she had a man waiting in the wings. I know how these things go.” Lady Two speaks like she’s an expert in sabotaging men. “So sad what happened to the original couple in that house.”

“So sad,” the first friend echoes.

“That was years ago, though,” the second adds, reinforcing her agreement that whatever happened was very sad indeed.

“Prison,” the first whispers, all too loudly, and I stiffen. “Embezzlement.”

Everything within me fights the desire to turn around and blast these old biddies, telling them to shut up in this public place.

“If she thinks there’s buried treasure in that home, she’s wrong.”

Without turning around, I almost hear them silently agreeing with one another.

“Did you say those two little boys belong to one of the sons from the original owners?” the second comments, and my ears ring. There isn’t anyone else they could be referencing. “What was his name again?”

“Zack.” It takes me a moment to realize it’s not the women behind me speaking but Autumn calling out my name. When I look up, she tips her head for me to come to her. “Got your coffee ready.” I haven’t ordered yet.

“Don’t listen to those old bitches,” she whispers as I near her.

I shake my head, still a little stunned at what I heard and what it could mean.

“Yocal and Vocal are what we call those two. Always gossiping.” Autumn leans forward, handing me the to-go cup. With a shaky hand, I take the offered drink, but Autumn notices my tremor.

“You okay?” her voice lowers even more.

I nod, but I’m not. “Were they talking about River?”

“There’s no way River married . . .” Autumn slows her speech. “She mentioned her husband was older than her, but it can’t be her.”

Autumn doesn’t sound very convincing, and I stare back at her. River hardly mentions Quincy. I hadn’t even known his name until the other night. How could he have children older than River unless he was . . . and she was . . . and she inherited that house. Now, she’s moved on to me. The man with two little boys and the original son of the owner. There isn’t anything I have, though. The few remaining dollars my father had were State’s evidence and confiscated. There’s no buried treasure. He’d gambled away the money. We didn’t have a penny. Everything I have now is all mine, and I’m careful with it. The only frivolous thing I’ve ever purchased is . . . my watch.

+ + +

I cannot let this go. It cannot wait until River is awake or after she returns from work. I need to speak to her, and I need to speak to her now. Standing outside her door, I pound on the wood, rattling the old thing on its hinges. When River opens the barrier, she’s out of breath.

“What’s wrong?” She’s wearing one of those sheer linen night dresses she likes, and there’s nothing to the imagination behind the thin fabric. I’d chastise her for opening the door in such a state, but I’m too worked up about what I heard.

“Who was your late husband?”

“Excuse me,” she stammers, her mouth falling open before her arms cross over her ample chest and accentuate those breasts I’ve become overly familiar with lately.

“I asked you a question.”

“And I don’t appreciate your tone.”

“My tone,” I huff. “My tone? Who the fuck was your husband?”

“His name was Quincy. Why does that matter?”

Swiping a hand through my hair, I hate that we’re having this discussion on her front step. And standing here, I feel like we’re on the precipice of something big, something push-me-over-the-edge, falling-into-the-pits-of-hell big.

“For a man who hates confrontation, you’re rather confrontational this morning,” she states, lowering her voice.

“I just want you to be honest with me.” Why is she being evasive? What else is she hiding from me?

“Oh, like you were honest with me about this house.” Her crossed arms fall, handsfisting at her sides. I glare back at those icy blues which are opposite the typical warmth and wonder they hold when she looks at me. “And what about your dad?”

“What about him?” We hadn’t discussed him once we left the canoe excursion. Once we returned to the area, we had dinner at Anna’s, and then the movie happened. River and I hadn’t had a moment alone, and whose fault was that? She sent me home with a soft kiss and a pat on the back.