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And because Norm was beloved, as are all children who leave their families behind, Agatha smiled at him happily. “I know just what you mean, Norm. You always had a way with words. Drive safe and come back soon. You’ve hardly met half my friends.”
Once Norm and Katrina were outside, Katrina placed her hands on the nose of her car and whispered, “I can’t believe this. I don’t know what I’ll do if she loses another baby.”
“You don’t know anything else yet,” Norm said quietly. “Don’t let yourself spiral.”
Norm led Katrina to his rental car, where she texted Ida as he drove them out to the old diner. He’d insisted on it, needing to see the place again, needing the comfort of those leather seats, the greasy food, and the fifties music through the speakers. As high schoolers, they’d spent hours at the diner together, doing homework and eating french fries and strawberry milkshakes—killing time away from home, away from their father.
KATRINA: How is she??
IDA: How did you find out? Did she tell you?
KATRINA: I heard through the Nantucket gossip channels.
KATRINA: I’m worried sick.
IDA: She’s still in the hospital.
IDA: But the baby is okay.
IDA: The doctor says he’ll release her tomorrow.
IDA: She’ll probably be on bed rest for a few days.
Katrina’s heartbeat slowed, and she breathed deeper, pressing the phone against her chest. “The baby’s safe,” she whispered.
“And Sophie?” Norm asked.
“She’ll leave the hospital tomorrow.”
Norm adjusted his hands on the steering wheel, his eyes widening with a mix of relief and confusion. It was an onslaught of emotions. Katrina imagined this was bizarre for Norm—driving through the streets he’d once known like the back of his hand. Things had changed imperceptibly for her. Bars had switched ownership. Restaurants had become retailers and vice versa. Houses had been created and destroyed. But for Norm, everything was different; the island had the same streets and the same air, but thousands of tiny changes over the years had added up to a completely altered reality.
KATRINA: Do you think she’d be up to seeing me?
IDA: She’s delicate right now.
IDA: But yes. To be honest with you, she needs you.
IDA: No matter what has happened in the past, you’re her mother.
IDA: And I love you, Mom. But you have to give Sophie a break. Please.
Katrina’s eyes welled with tears. The world around her blurred, and she hardly recognized it when Norm pulled into the diner parking lot and cut the engine. “She needs you” echoed in her mind. She couldn’t help but feel that Sophie had already given her too many chances.
“Come on,” Norm urged quietly. “When was the last time you ate something?”
Katrina followed her big brother into the diner, where a woman less than half their age sat them at a booth by the window and poured them mugs of coffee. Norm didn’t even glance at his menu before he said, “I’d love a Denver omelet, hash browns, and a biscuit with apple butter.”
It was one of his favorite orders, something he’d probably eaten here one hundred times. Just hearing him say the words again made Katrina’s throat swell.
“Should I order for you?” Norm gave her a mischievous grin. When Katrina nodded, he said, “A patty melt with onion rings. And a Coke?”
Katrina shook her head.
“Diet Coke,” he corrected. “That’s a change.”
Katrina laughed as she passed her menu to the server, who disappeared with their orders. “I can’t believe you remember that.”
“I remember so many hours here with you,” Norm said, his eyes darkening.
