Jeanne hoped her intimacy with Patrice would inoculate her from ever succumbing to Kevin. Wearing sunglasses, the mothers swayed waist deep in the O’Meara’s swimming pool and watched the toddlers float, water wings on their little arms. Half-hypnotized, Jeanne talked about marrying Paul because his love had seemed friendly and safe.
[Click here to read the first episode, or here to read the previous one.]
At the end he wasn’t so friendly. “After Colette was born he was more about making rules for me,” Jeanne said. “Like, don’t think so much; don’t feel so much. ‘You’ll get farther skimming the surface.’”
Patrice already knew Jeanne’s late husband had wanted to change her. “Well, I married Kevin because here was a man who could go anywhere and be anything.”
Just in time, Jeanne suppressed a catch in her breath. “You’re both like that, Patrice.”
“You know that’s not true, but thanks. I’m just lucky he decided to stay here and be a dentist. Except lately it’s like he’s reaching beyond me.” Patrice laughed. “I don’t know.”
Annabelle wailed. “Colette, stop!” She’d splashed water in Annabelle’s eyes—that was Jeanne’s guess. “We should go,” she told Patrice. “The girls are tired.”
Leaving was a relief. Hearing about Kevin stirred up too much guilty pleasure. She might love Patrice more than herself and still do wrong.
Hearing about Kevin’s friend Hal, who Patrice admitted was oafish and odd, felt comforting, however. Jeanne might adjust, spending time with an unattractive, unthreatening man. Every year Patrice invited Hal to Thanksgiving. This year Jeanne and Colette were invited, too. A plan nobody need consider for months.
After Labor Day weekend, the mothers took the girls to their favorite playground. “I haven’t told Kevin about Thanksgiving,” Patrice said. “But yesterday I suggested we might all go out, me and Kevin and you and Hal.”
“We’re still on for the girls’ birthday, I hope.” Jeanne wanted to celebrate Colette and Annabelle’s third birthday with a double party. Colette would be so delighted—it might become her first clear memory.
And, Jeanne was just being ridiculous about seeing Kevin—it was inevitable. Still, it would help if there were lots of people there.
Patrice shifted her weight on the park bench. “Hal wouldn’t belong at the three-year-olds’ party. He really is strange. Anyway, here’s the thing: all I did was suggest some kind of informal double date, and Kevin acted like I was committing a crime.”
“Oh no,” Jeanne said.
“He said Hal has obsessive tendencies. They went to high school together. Hal was always a hard luck case and Kevin helps him out. He’s been rotating dental patients, giving Hal work. But I guess Hal gets on everybody’s nerves. Maybe Kevin’s especially, I don’t know.”
Jeanne rummaged through her purse. “I don’t need to start seeing anyone. It’s kind of mean, me thinking this guy Hal might be good because, from what you say, I’m in no danger of getting into anything serious.”
“Sorry if I was pushy.” Patrice watched as Jeanne twisted her hair up with a clip.
“You weren’t pushy.” Jeanne let a foot swing in the air.
Patrice squinted at the sun hovering along the tree line. Her husband loved to help people. Life came to him so effortlessly. Everybody liked Kevin; everybody loved him. And Kevin always gladly donated a minute or two, a name and/or number—no big deal. But when he lent a hand to Hal, an attitude sneaked in. Patrice hated noticing such a petty difference, but she couldn’t help it. With Hal, Kevin played the big brother. It wasn’t casual. It was Kevin exerting subtle power.
Jeanne’s gaze followed Patrice’s. They turned and nodded—hours of light left but summer was over.
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