The Perfect Family by Kathryn Shay Page A

the kitchen with Maggie. Out of sight, but in earshot, Mike stopped to listen to their conversation.
    Brian said simply, “What’s really going on, Mom?”
    “What do you mean?”
    “The vibes around here have been wacked for a few days.”
    “Have they?”
    “Nobody’s sick, right?”
    “No, honey. Nobody’s sick.”
    “You and Dad, you’re all right?”
    “Yes, I promise. But you know what? I haven’t had much time alone with you. Why don’t we go out to dinner tomorrow night? Just us two?”
    “I have baseball practice until six. After that?”
    “Sure.”
    The chair scraped back and Mike heard Brian say, “I love you, Mom.”
    Before he was caught eavesdropping, Mike stumbled upstairs and into his bedroom. He shed his clothes and fell into bed. He wasn’t proud of himself, and Maggie was none too happy either. Worse yet, he’d disappointed God. He said a brief prayer of apology as he drifted into unconsciousness.
     
    *
     
    The next day, Maggie agreed to go for a walk with Gretta. She needed her friend even if she couldn’t divulge the secret she was keeping.
    “It’s getting warm, finally,” Gretta commented as they went down Main Street, her long strides eating up the pavement.
    “I’m glad to see spring. It always cheers me up.”
    They didn’t talk for a while. She loved that she didn’t have to be on with her friend. After a while, though, Gretta spoke again. “I’ve sensed something’s been bothering you, Mags. You know you can tell me anything.”
    “You’re right, of course, I’m upset. But I can’t tell you why yet.”
    “Why not?”
    “I’ve been asked not to.”
    Her cell phone rang.
    Gretta’s brows rose. “Why’d you bring that on a walk?”
    “I gave Caroline’s daughter my cell number.” She shrugged. “I didn’t want to miss a call from my sister.”
    “Go ahead, then, and answer it.”
    “Hello.”
    “Maggie?”
    “Yes, who is—” but she stopped midsentence. And suddenly, she knew the identity of the caller.
    “This is your sister Caroline.”
    Tears welled in her eyes and she nodded to Gretta. “I-I knew it. I knew this was you.”
    Gretta grabbed Maggie’s free hand. Her own eyes were moist.
    “Oh, Caroline, I’m so glad you called.”
    Sniffling on the other end. “Me, too, Magpie.”
    At the nickname, Maggie began to cry.
    “Shh, honey, let’s not blubber.”
    “O—” Hiccups. “Okay.”
    “What are you doing now?”
    “Walking downtown with my friend Gretta.”
    “Do you want me to call you back?”
    “Uh-uh. Hold on a sec.” To Gretta, she said, “It’s her, Gretts. Oh, my God.”
    “Want me to stay?”
    “No, you go on ahead.”
    “Call me.” She kissed Maggie’s cheek. “And enjoy this, honey. Don’t worry about whatever else is going on in your life.”
    When Gretta headed out, Maggie spoke into the phone. “I can talk now. I’m sitting down so I won’t fall over.”
    Caroline laughed and Maggie remembered the sound viscerally. She hadn’t been exposed to much laughter in the Lorenzo household except for Caroline’s.
    “Teresa told me about Derek. I’m so sorry.”
    “It’s awful. The holidays are the hardest.”
    Ah. Teresa had called at Christmas, and Easter wasn’t far away. “I’ll bet. You could come here for Easter. Celebrate with us.”
    “Oh, no, honey, I’m not ready to face the family yet.”
    “Not even me?”
    “I’m sorry.”
    “I’m rushing this. Like I always do. I’m just thankful you called.” She waited. “I will see you though, right?”
    “Yes,” Caroline said. “I plan to visit in the summer. Terry rented a cottage for us on Conesus Lake. I’ll be finished with teaching and you and I can see each other then.”
    “Will Teresa be able to get away for the summer? Is she a teacher, too?”
    “No, she chose to stay home with Chloe. Unfortunately, she and her husband have divorced, and she’s at loose ends right now.”
    “I’m sorry, that must be hard for her and