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"Very smart business mind, I see." He possessed qualities that made me nervous. I couldn’t quite understand it, other than the way he peered at me with those intense eyes. I had the feeling not much got past him. He saw everything.
I tried to imagine what his former wife was like but couldn’t summon anything. Who had enticed her away from him? “What are your interests?" I picked up my lemonade, careful to keep it between my fingers instead of sliding away and spilling, or God forbid, breaking the glass.
"I like to practice medicine and help people. I enjoy golf and swimming in the ocean and listening to music. Anything outdoors is of great interest to me."
“And your wife didn’t share your interests?” I asked.
“She preferred everything shiny. Balls and dances and nightclubs. The man she left me for is much better suited to her.” He looked out to the ocean, seeming to drift far away from me for a moment. “She was always looking for a party.” He turned back to me. “Don’t pity me, Mrs. Higgins. I’m better off without her. The embarrassment of it all seems to be the gift that continues, however.”
"How often do you come here?" I asked, changing the subject.
"Usually in the winter when Boston is miserable. I've made myself useful here, offering my medical services for free to anyone who requires help."
“Why would you do such a thing?" I asked this not in an accusatory tone but one of true curiosity.
"Do you see all this?" He waved his hand about. "I did nothing to earn it other than to be born into a family of great wealth. I've found that I crave significance, not because I'm rich but because I have skills that help people.”
“What about your practice in Boston? Do you have a partner?”
“I do. A family man who prefers to be at home. When I'm here in Florida, he takes care of our patients, such that they are."
"What do you mean?"
"We only provide care to the wealthy. House calls—even in the middle of the night, I might be called to care for someone. It's fine, but I like to be of use to those who really need us for at least part of the year."
"That's very noble of you."
"Do you think so, Mrs. Higgins? Because I think it's only a selfish need on my part to feel as if my life means something."
"Surely it does." We locked eyes for a moment, and an understanding passed between us. "I have my work, which keeps me apart from a lot of other women in my town. And I have no children. Without them, what significance do I make?"
"Your business? You’ve done a remarkable thing, building it to such a scale.”
"My sister has seven children, and I often think how much more she's doing to make the world more beautiful than I."
"Why don't you have children?" Bromley asked. “Was it a choice?”
"They've never come," I said flatly. "Perhaps God knows I'm too selfish and ambitious to have them?"
"Doubtful. More likely, it's a medical reason."
I flushed, shamed. There was nothing worse than knowing I was flawed somehow. That other women could get pregnant without trouble and I was barren year after year.
"I'm sorry," Bromley said. "I've hurt you. That was a thoughtless thing to say."
"No, it's quite all right. I'm sensitive about it, that's all."
"My apologies. My sister-in-law says I have no bedside manner."
"I'm sure that's not true." I smiled back at him. "And no apology necessary."
We finished our sandwiches, talking about our lives and getting to know each other better.
"What about you?" I asked. "Did you and your wife have children?"
Another shadow passed through his face. "I wanted to but it was not to be.” He looked back at me, a blankness in his eyes I hadn't yet seen. "I wonder sometimes if we had—if it might have changed the outcome of our marriage.”
"You can’t know, I suppose. Perhaps it would have made everything more painful." I couldn't believe we were talking as if we’d known each other for a long time. He felt close to me, much more than our brief encounters would suggest it should.
