Chapter 23

Lily did not easily spill her emotions. Anyone who met her would be struck first by her intelligence, then her poise, and then her kindness, but not unnoticed would also be her calm exterior that assured that this is a person you would want on a desert island with you, or stuck in a elevator, or sitting beside you in the intensive care waiting room. Lily was not emotional, per se, but she was steady and real.
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When Lily finally made the call, she had rehearsed what she wanted to convey. But it was all so impossible that she found herself bracing the coffee table while she dialed the Fourtier family number.
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“Mike, it’s Lily.”
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Silence.
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“Mike, I don’t know if it’s even right to make this call, and I know you must hate me a thousand times over, but….I was wondering….could we meet, Mike?”
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“Why, Lily?” Mike's tone was not closed tight but vulnerably wrapped in self protection.
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“Mike, I don’t know how—even if-- we can make this work and I will do anything I can to make it easier. You, the kids, Alex—I wish I could….”
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“What, Lily? You wish it had never happened? Well, I wish that too. But you thought about that too late”
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Lily’s started to speak, stopped, and then quietly said,
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“Mike, will you meet me?”
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“Where?”
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“Houghs?”
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“When?”
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“You tell me Mike and I’ll be there”
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“Let’s get it over with. Tonight at 6?” And then as an afterthought, "Is there someone to stay with Alex?"
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Lily paused. She had not expected this and she had to make arrangements so Alex would not be alone.
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“Yes, Mike, there is. Tonight at 6. Thank you, Mike”.