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Feeling a little weary herself, she went downstairs, where she found Marah curled on Tullys lap.
Johnny met her at the bottom of the stairs. "The margaritas are in the blender. Ill put Marah to bed. "
"I love you. "
He patted her butt, then turned to his daughter. "I know. Come on, Bunny. Bedtime. "
"Aw, Daddy. Do I hafta? Im telling Aunt Tully about Mrs. Hermann. "
"Hop up the stairs and get your pjs on. Ill be up in a minute to read you a story. "
Marah hugged Tully tightly, kissed her cheek, and plodded over to where Johnny and Kate stood.
Perfunctorily she kissed Kate goodnight, then went upstairs.
Tully got up and stood by Johnny. "Okay, Ive been very patient, which as you know is not my strong suit, but the kids are gone now, so spill the beans. "
Kate frowned. "What?"
"You look terrible," Tully said softly. "Whats wrong?"
"Its just hormones. Or lack of sleep. The boys exhaust me. " She laughed at the ordinary string of excuses. "Im fine. "
"I dont think she knows whats wrong," Johnny said to Tully, as if Kate werent even here.
"Hows the writing going?" Tully asked her.
Kate winced. "Great. "
"She isnt writing," Johnny said, and Kate could have coldcocked him for that.
Tully looked disbelieving. "Not at all?"
"Not that I can tell," Johnny said.
"Quit talking about me as if Im not here," Kate said. "I have a ten-year-old drama queen who plays every sport on the planet, takes dance lessons three times a week, and has a busier social calendar than the Sex and the City girls. And dont forget about twin boys who rarely sleep at the same time and break everything they touch. How the hell am I supposed to do all that, make dinner, do the laundry, clean the house, and write a book at the same time?" She looked at them. "I know what you both think. What everyone seems to think. Im supposed to make time to search for my authentic self. Im supposed to need more than motherhood—and I do, damn it—I just dont know how Im supposed to do all that and still be in the carpool lane on time. "
In the silence that followed her outbreak, a log dropped in the fireplace, made a crackling thump.
Tully looked at Johnny. "You asshole. "
"What?" He looked so perplexed, Kate almost laughed.
"She cleans the house and picks up your laundry? Cant you get someone to clean, for Gods sake?"
"She never said she needed help. "
Kate hadnt realized until that moment how overwhelmed shed felt. Relief swept through her, loosened the muscles in her back. "I do," she finally admitted to her husband.
Johnny pulled her close and kissed her, whispering, "All you had to do was say something," against her lips. She kissed him back, clung to him.
"Enough making out," Tully said, grabbing her arm. "What we need are margaritas. Johnny, bring them to us on the deck. "
Kate let herself be led outside. Once there, she smiled at her friend. "Thanks, Tul. I dont know why I didnt just ask for help. "
"Are you kidding? I love bossing Johnny around. " She sat down into the nearest Adirondack chair. In front of them, just beyond the ragged yard, lay a silvery ribbon of foamy surf. The quiet, whooshing sound of the waters rise and fall filled the night.
Kate sat in the chair beside her.
