After Anna(70)

‘How did it go, guys?’ Maggie said, coming from the kitchen when she heard the front door opening. She’d just finished baking chocolate chip cookies and arrayed them on a serving plate next to four small plates and napkins, expecting they’d all eat cookies and yammer away, like an impromptu family party.

‘Okay,’ Anna answered, entering the house with a frown.

Noah came up behind, puzzled. ‘What do you mean, Anna? You did very well.’

‘Thanks.’ Anna hoisted her purse to her shoulder and headed for the stairwell, but Maggie intercepted her.

‘Want a snack, honey? I made cookies.’

‘Sorry, I better get to work. I’m so behind, I’ll be up all night.’

‘But I want to hear about your lesson. How did it go? How was the car?’

‘Fine, I really should get to work.’ Anna pursed her lips, going upstairs. ‘See you later.’

‘Where’s Caleb?’ Noah asked, sliding his tie off.

‘Upstairs, doing homework.’ Maggie took a step closer, keeping her voice low, even after Anna had gone. ‘What happened? She seems bummed.’

‘She seems fine to me.’ Noah left for the kitchen, and Maggie followed him, bewildered.

‘How did she do?’

‘Great, but she really shouldn’t drive on the street until she gets a Pennsylvania license.’ Noah crossed to the kitchen island, took a few cookies and a napkin, and turned to head down to the basement.

‘Where did you take her?’

‘The strip mall behind the Chinese restaurant.’ Noah slid his phone from his back pocket and thumbed the screen.

‘Was she nervous?’

‘No.’ Noah kept scrolling, and Maggie knew he was checking his email, which was always test results, nothing urgent.

‘Were you nice about the car?’

‘Yes.’

‘You didn’t give her a hard time?’

‘No.’ Noah read his phone screen, and Maggie felt her temper flare.

‘Excuse me, but can you look at me for two minutes? I’m trying to figure out what happened.’

Noah looked up, his mouth tight. ‘Nothing happened. What could have happened?’

‘You didn’t bring up Jamie again, did you?’

‘No.’ Noah met her eye directly. ‘Babe, can we have one night when we don’t fight? Is that too much to ask?’

‘Fine,’ Maggie answered, stung. ‘It’s just that the driving lesson was the fun thing that was supposed to get you two back on track.’

‘I’m trying my best, honey.’

‘I don’t think you are.’ Maggie felt her resentment boil over. ‘She came home unhappy.’

‘She’s not unhappy.’

‘She’s not bubbling over with excitement, now is she?’ Maggie couldn’t believe he was arguing this point, when it was obvious.

‘You’re making something out of nothing.’ Noah turned away, opening the basement door.

‘Really?’ Maggie watched him disappear into the basement, then she put some cookies on the plate, poured a glass of milk, and went upstairs to Anna’s room, where she knocked on the door. ‘Anna, can I come in? I’ve got carbs.’

‘Sure,’ Anna answered.

‘Hi,’ Maggie said, opening the door to see Anna sitting cross-legged on her bed, having changed into a gray T-shirt and Congreve gym shorts. Her laptop and textbooks were spread around her, and her new bedside lamp filled the room with a soft glow.

‘Aw, cookies. Thanks.’ Anna set the laptop aside, and Maggie handed her the plate and milk.

‘Hey, what do you think of your paint selection?’ Maggie gestured to the canvases she’d lined up on the wall, showing a paint sample with the name of the color on each one, so they didn’t forget.

‘I know, that was so nice of you.’ Anna got up and went over to the canvases. ‘I like Nottingham Green. What do you think?’

‘Me, too, but live with it for a day or two. The colors change depending on the light, and give the blues a chance.’

‘You think blue would be better?’ Anna turned to her, more relaxed than she had been when she came in, which did Maggie’s heart good.

‘It might be, but it’s your choice.’

‘Thanks.’ Anna took a bite of cookie. ‘Mmm, this is awesome.’

‘By the way, were you able to make any progress with Jamie? Like, find her new number or text her?’

‘No, not yet.’ Anna shook her head. ‘But I will, I promise. I was so busy today trying to get everything done and then the driving lesson.’

‘Sure, I understand.’ Maggie had to trust that Anna would keep her word. ‘So how did it go? Was it okay?’

‘It was fine.’ Anna flopped on the bed. ‘But I don’t need Noah to take me anymore. I’ll use a driving school for one or two more lessons. I just signed up online.’

‘You don’t want Noah to take you?’ Maggie sank into the bed, disappointed. ‘What happened?’

‘Nothing.’ Anna hesitated. ‘Why, did Noah say something happened?’

‘No, but why do you want a professional? Was he too critical? He’s usually patient, even if he’s, well, picky.’