After Anna(16)

Maggie wondered if Florian had picked Congreve because it was so far from Pennsylvania, but whatever. ‘You make friends in your classes, right?’

‘Not so much. And they separate themselves from the Parkers.’

‘Parkers?’

‘That’s what they call us.’ Anna’s eyebrows sloped unhappily down. ‘The boarders live in Parker Hall, like, we’re parked.’

‘That’s so mean.’

‘But it’s true. I’m parked.’

‘No, you’re not.’ Maggie felt tears come to her eyes, hearing how lonely Anna must have been. Guilt made her heart feel heavy and hurt.

‘Yes, I am,’ Anna shot back, without self-pity. ‘Dad totally parked me. I talk about it in therapy. He wasn’t capable of more. My grandparents weren’t either. I wish I could leave but I don’t know where to go.’

‘You mean leave Congreve?’ Maggie blinked, surprised. ‘You’re seventeen, almost finished. You only have one year left before college.’

‘I know, but I can’t make it here another year.’ Anna brushed a strand of hair from her troubled forehead.

‘What do you mean, “make it”?’ Maggie worried that Anna was depressed. She herself had that tendency and wondered if Anna inherited it from her, like dimples.

‘Dad was the one who wanted me to stay, but now that he’s, uh, gone, I wish I could leave. If I could get out of here today, I would.’ Anna sipped her water. ‘I already talked to James about it. He’s our lawyer. He runs the trust that pays my bills. He said I could go to any boarding school I wanted and the trust would pay. But I can’t believe that it would be any better than here. Wherever I go, I’m parked.’

‘Anna, listen.’ Maggie was formulating an idea. ‘If you wanted to, you could live with me. Would you consider that? Because I would do it in a second.’

‘I have to admit, I was wondering about that.’ Anna smiled, cautiously. ‘Like, if living with you and your family was an option for me.’

‘Of course it is! I’m your mother!’ Maggie’s thoughts raced. ‘I could get back in touch with my lawyer, and I may have to go to court, but I never lost legal custody of you, only physical, and that was way back when.’

‘I mentioned it to James, and he said that would be a formality, but that’s all.’ Anna shifted forward, with a new frown. ‘But first you should talk to him. His office is right in town. I already talked to him about you, and I talked to Ellen about you already, too. They think you abused me when I was little. You have to tell them what really happened, just like you told me.’

‘I will. I can send them the papers from your custody case. I’ll call my husband and have him scan and email them, right now. But if we can explain it to them, I would love to have you live with us! Please consider it, I would really love it so much and so would Noah.’ Maggie felt her heart open at having Anna at home with her, a part of her and Noah’s family, with Caleb and Wreck-It Ralph.

‘For real?’ Anna’s smile broadened. ‘I think it would work, I can tell from your letters and from Facebook.’

‘It would be great!’ Maggie bubbled over with excitement. ‘We have a lovely house, and the high school is only twenty minutes away, it’s terrific!’

‘I know, Lower Merion. I researched it online.’

‘Please come live with us!’ Maggie laughed, giddy. ‘I know you’ll be happy. You’re young, and this should be the happiest time of your life.’

‘What about your husband? Would he be okay with it?’

‘Of course! No doubt! He’d love to have you at our house! He always wanted me to reconnect with you!’

‘Okay, great!’ Anna beamed, her blue eyes glistening. ‘Thank you so much!’

‘Are you kidding? Thank you so much!’ Maggie felt her own eyes brimming again. She was getting the second chance she’d hoped for, prayed for, dreamed of.

‘Could we leave tomorrow, if James and Ellen say it’s okay?’

‘You’re damn right we can!’ Maggie jumped up, joyful. She threw open her arms. ‘And now you’re getting a big Italian hug!’





Chapter Eleven


Noah, After

TRIAL, DAY 6

Noah hadn’t realized that there were times in a murder trial when nothing was happening, even though everyone remained in the courtroom in a state of suspended animation. Thomas and Linda were conferring with Judge Gardner, and Noah sat at counsel table, his thoughts cycling over the past. He was haunted by what-ifs, and the one that haunted him the most was the first. What if he’d told Maggie no, when she’d called that night from Congreve?

Noah, I just had dinner with Anna and it was wonderful! She’s adorable and great!

That’s great, babe! I knew it would go well. Noah had been in the car, heading home from the gym. He’d gotten their sitter to take Caleb to the speech pathologist and he’d be home in time to make dinner or, more likely, order pizza.

And Noah, guess what, I asked her to come live with us and she said yes!

Wow! Really? That’s amazing! Noah had braked, stuck at the traffic light on Lancaster Avenue behind a string of cars, a TGIF crowd if he ever saw one.