The Husband Hour(40)

And Howard was clearly running away from it all.

The doorbell rang. Beth had forgotten the sound of the Green Gable doorbell, the gentle melodic pinging of a chime that her mother had custom-ordered. She couldn’t remember the last time someone had used it.

“Damn it,” she muttered, the sugary glaze not budging from her hands as she rubbed them against the apron. She ran them under the faucet.

The doorbell pinged again.

Well, the yeast, milk, and flour paste had to rest for a half an hour anyway. She covered the bowl with plastic wrap, walked to the front door, and peeked out the window, fortifying herself to make excuses to get rid of the real estate agent. She found herself smiling instead.

“Neil! How are you? Come on in.”

He was a good-looking young man. Not devastatingly handsome like her son-in-law had been, but Rory’s type of charisma was always a double-edged sword. Neil Hanes was the kind of man she had imagined one of her daughters ending up with, ambitious but grounded, from a good family. And, well, yes, Jewish. Not that she minded that Rory had been Catholic. The truth was, she had adored Rory. They had all fallen in love with him.

“This really is a nice surprise,” Beth said, steering Neil into the living room. They sat on the couch and he eyed her mother’s vintage suitcases with obvious appreciation.

“I’m sorry to come by without calling but I was just a few doors away, at the Kleins. They built where the red-brick house used to be up the block?”

“Yes, yes—it’s amazing, what they’ve done. I mean, that modern architecture isn’t for me but I can understand the appeal.”

“Well, this place is a classic. They don’t make them like this anymore.”

Beth looked around with a sigh. “It was my parents’ house, you know. I grew up coming here for the summers.”

“My father mentioned that you’re selling,” Neil said.

Beth looked at him, surprised. Well, she supposed people did talk.

“Yes.”

“Are you waiting until after the summer?” he asked.

“I’m not sure. It’s a fairly recent decision.”

“Well, I’d be interested.”

“You want to buy this house? You’re able to buy this house? How old are you, Neil? Thirty?”

He laughed. “Sad to say, I’m turning thirty-one in the fall. But I’m about to sell a big script, and aside from that, my father would always float me.”

“Well, let’s put this conversation on hold for the moment. I’m not in a rush, though my husband feels differently on the matter. He’s in Florida right now.”

“My parents love it there. They haven’t seen an East Coast winter in ten years.”

Neil walked to the mantel and looked at photos of Lauren and Stephanie.

“These are great,” he said, turning to her. “Is Lauren around?”

Beth smiled. “She’s at work. But why don’t you come by later? Have dinner with us. I’m sure she’d love to see you.”



“I feel ambushed,” Lauren whispered to her mother, though Neil Hanes couldn’t possibly overhear their conversation. They were in the kitchen and he sat outside at the table set for the dinner.

“That’s a bit dramatic,” Beth said, opening the bottle of wine. “And there’s plenty of time before the food is ready. Maybe go change out of your shorts and sneakers?”

Lauren glanced uneasily at the deck. What could she do? Flee and hide from visitors in her own home? She was exhausted after a nonstop day at the restaurant.

The front door opened and closed.

“Who else did you invite?” Lauren said. “Is this dinner going to be like an episode of The Bachelorette?”

Beth looked in the direction of the hallway. “I didn’t invite anyone else.”

Stephanie, with Ethan in tow, walked into the kitchen dragging a large suitcase.

“What are you doing back?” Beth said. “I thought you were in Philly until the middle of next week.”

“Yeah, well, plans changed,” Stephanie said. Ethan ran over to Beth and hugged her, then made his way to Lauren.

“Hey, cutie,” she said.

“E., run upstairs and put your stuff in your room. I need to talk to Gran for a sec.” Ethan dutifully scooted off. Stephanie pulled a bottle of wine from the refrigerator.

“Doesn’t he still have school?” Beth said.

“So he’ll miss the last few days. He’s six. I think Harvard will overlook it.”

“I don’t appreciate the sarcasm,” Beth said.

“Brett reneged on letting me stay at the house for the rest of the month, okay? I just had to get out of there.”

“Nice guy,” Lauren muttered.

“This is just so unfair to Ethan,” said Beth.

“He’ll be fine. Kids are resilient,” Stephanie said. She peeked into the pot on the stove. “Smells good, Mom.”

Beth glanced nervously outside. Stephanie, following her gaze, realized they had company.

“Who’s here?”

“No one,” said Beth.

“Neil Hanes,” said Lauren.

“Oh, shit. Did I just walk in on a date?” Stephanie laughed.

“Don’t be an ass,” Lauren said. “In fact, I’m leaving.”