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I could feel him stealing glances at me as we strolled through the garden. My silence was unnerving him, but I had nothing I wanted to say. It was as if we were parallel to each other on tightropes, afraid to turn our heads and look at each other because we might fall. I sensed he was trying to be careful about anything he said now. In truth, I was as well.
“Your father and I were talking about naming a new horse he bought Sam. He thought your uncle would like that, too. Wouldn’t that be fun? Having a horse named after you? I’m actually surprised he has never done it.”
“He had a horse named Cassie Girl, named after my sister.”
“Well, now it’s your turn.”
“As long as no one blames me for not being a winner. Cassie Girl was a winner.”
“Of course, no one would. Don’t be silly.” He took my arm and stopped walking. “Look, Semantha, I’m sorry if I did or said anything to disturb you before. I know you had a little relapse of sorts, and right now, you’re a little fragile, so you’re seeing everything from the dark side. I’m hoping I can change that. I hope you believe me.
“Anyway,” he continued when I remained silent, “I’m more convinced than ever that the best thing that could happen to us would be for you to get pregnant. Nothing binds two people as much as their children. Maybe that would help put your past unhappiness further behind you as well.”
He waited anxiously for my response, but I had none.
“I’m a little cold suddenly,” I said, embracing myself.
“Yes, I thought it would be warmer. Okay, let’s go back inside. Do you want to be with your father and Lucille or—”
“Let’s just go up and watch television in our own suite, Ethan.”
“Sure. I’ll just let them know,” he said, and went right to the den after we entered.
“He’s probably telling them you’re under control,” Cassie said.
“I am,” I replied, and went upstairs.
When I entered our suite, the phone was ringing. It was Uncle Perry.
“How are you, Sam?” he asked. “I understand you’ve had quite a day.”
“I’m all right, Uncle Perry.”
“You know, if you need someone to talk to, I’m here for you.”
“I know.”
“Your father can be a bull in a china shop.”
“It’s all right,” I assured him. “I’m fine. We’re fine.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
“All right. I’ll see you soon,” he promised.
Ethan didn’t come up for nearly half an hour. I distracted myself watching a movie, but when he finally came up, he tried again to start a conversation about having children.
When I didn’t respond, he said, “I guess this is important to me because I was an only child. I’d like us to have four, at least. What about you?”
“I don’t know.”
“You’d want some sons to get to grow up and become executives in the Heaven-stone Corporation, right?”
“Of course,” Cassie whispered.
“Not necessarily,” I said.
