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“You made love that first night?”
I shrugged, basking in her obvious delight.
“Such a wonderful love story,” she said.
“Yes, it was.”
“Was?”
“Well, it still is,” I demurred. “It’s just, you know, different.”
“Different?”
“Well, we’ve been married almost ten years.” I forced a laugh. “Things change…we have two children…Harrison’s had a bit of trouble getting his second book off the ground…”
“But he’s such a good writer.”
“Yes, he is.”
“It must be so frustrating for him, a man of his genius. Although, what is it they say? ‘Genius is a pain to live with at home’?”
I smiled. “He’s not a pain. Well, not all the time anyway.”
She laughed, and I felt almost embarrassingly grateful.
“I mean, it’s not like he isn’t trying. It’s just, like you said, it’s very frustrating for him.”
“For you, too, I imagine.”
Not for the first time, I wanted to hug her.
“He’s very lucky,” she went on, “that you’re doing so well.”
“I’m not sure he feels that way.”
“Oh?”
“I know he appreciates the money and everything, but…”
“…you think he resents you being so successful?”
“No. Well, not really,” I qualified. “Maybe.”
“I’m sure he’s very proud of your accomplishments.”
“I’m sure he is, too,” I agreed.
“Just that it would be nice to hear him say so,” Elyse said.
My eyes filled with tears.
“Oh, dear. Please don’t cry.” A tissue appeared miraculously in her hands. She stretched forward in her chair to dab gently under my eyes. “You don’t want to ruin your mascara.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s gotten into me, going on likethat. I certainly didn’t mean to give you the wrong idea.” I swallowed the last of my tears. “He’s normally very supportive. And we’re fine. We really are. Every marriage has its ups and downs. Well…I’m sure you know.”
“I certainly do. There were times in both my marriages that I would have been happy to see my husbands under the wheels of a bus.”
My lips quivered into a smile. “It’s always a little hard in the summer when he starts teaching. He has all these students looking at him like he’s some sort of god.”The way I used to look at him. The way Wren looks at him now.“And then he has to come home to reality.”
