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“That’s a good idea,” Henry said. “I called Samantha’s family, and no one has heard from her in Philadelphia, either.”
“Now I’m really worried,” Dan said.
“Let’s clean this mess up and have dessert, and then we can organize a search party for her,” Lisa said.
Everyone chipped in, either clearing the table, watching children, or wrapping leftovers. Pam fixed a plate for Henry and insisted he eat. They had an immediate camaraderie.
“Maybe Pam needs a gay husband,” Laura said to Lisa. “Look at them. They are the perfect match.”
“Oh God, maybe. My poor mother is unlucky in love. Henry might fill that void.”
Ryan stood off to the side, listening. “I doubt it,” he scoffed.
Lisa looked at him sidelong. “You doubt what?”
“I doubt Henry will fill Pam’s void.”
“I guess that’s one thing you don’t have to worry about, Ryan. At least I hope you aren’t worrying about it.”
He kissed her and moved toward Pam to make sure Henry wasn’t filling anything of Pam’s.
Later that night, a beatific Laura Long and Will bundled up for a walk on the beach. The reality of being pregnant had hit home when her family made a big deal out of it at dinner.
“Everyone was so solicitous today,” Will said. “This is going to be a great place to raise our family.”
“It is! I love that everyone lives on the same street. Our baby will grow up surrounded by his cousins and aunts and uncles.” Laura happened to look up at the water’s edge, north of Pam’s house. “Okay, is it the moon playing tricks on my eyes? Or is that a harbor seal on the beach?”
Will put his arm out to impede Laura’s progress. “Um, I don’t think that’s a seal.”
“Oh, for God’s sake! Not again!”
Trudging up the sand to get a better look, they saw red hair spread out around Samantha Cordis’s head like a veil.
Epilogue
Weeks Earlier
This was going to be the last time Alan would see Lily. She had called him at noon, asking to get together.
“I promise you, I won’t bother you again, Alan. You’ll be free to be with Shelly now. I’m in love with someone else.”
Frowning, Alan didn’t get it. What was she talking about? “What? Since when?”
“We’ve been seeing each other for a while. I had to make a decision. You’re not available to me, I realize that. The other person isn’t, either, actually. But I can’t deny my feelings.”
“Who is it?” he asked, curiosity overtaking his common sense. He should be thrilled. But he didn’t know what he wanted.
“I can’t tell you. It’s a complicated situation, but I’m hopeful that it’s going to work out for us.”
“Wow, I don’t know what to say. I should be pissed off that you two-timed me.” But he couldn’t deny the relief mixed in with his disappointment.
“You’re living with Shelly, Alan. You don’t have any room to be angry with me.”
“So, I guess that’s that,” he said.
But she wasn’t exactly finished. “Will you see me once more?”
Once more would lead to more. They’d been down this path before.
