“Let’s just say it was at Nathan’s suggestion.”
“I’ve been trying to cover for you.”
“I know, Henry. ! appreciate it.”
“So how did it go?”
“Well, probably as well as it could have, under the circumstances.
In fact, he was pretty civil.”
“Well, that’s good.”
“It might not last, though, but I wanted you to know. I just left him.”
“Maybe this whole thing will just blow over.” He added hurriedly, “Of
course, I don’t mean about Jason’s death. I don’t mean in any way to
minimize that horrible tragedy–”
Sidney quickly cut him off. “I know, I know, Henry. No offense taken.”
“So how did you leave it with Nathan?”
She took a deep breath. “We agreed to keep in touch.”
The Hay-Adams Hotel was only a few blocks from Tyler, Stone’s offices.
Sidney awoke early. The clock showed it to be barely five in the
morning. She quietly reassessed the progress of the night before.
The visit to her husband’s office had yielded nothing useful and the
meeting with Nathan Gamble had badly scared her. She hoped she had
appeased Henry Wharton. For now. After grabbing a quick shower, she
called room service and ordered a pot of coffee. She had to be on the
road by seven to pick up Amy. She would discuss the memorial service
with her parents then.
By the time she was dressed and packed, it was six-thirty. Her parents
were habitual early risers and Amy did not ordinarily sleep past six.
Sidney’s father answered the phone.
“How is she?”
“Your mother’s got her. She just finished getting a bath. Just came
marching in our bedroom this morning pretty as you please like she owned
the place.” Sidney could hear the deep pride in her father’s voice. “How
you holding up, sweetie? You sound a little better.”
“I’m holding, Dad. I’m holding. Finally got some sleep, I’m not sure
how.”
“Well, your mother and I are coming back up with you and we’re not
taking no for an answer. We can take care of stuff around the house,
field calls, run errands, help with Amy.”
“Thanks, Dad. I’ll be at your place in a couple of hours.”
“Here comes Amy looking like a baby chick caught in the rain.
I’ll put her on.”
Sidney could hear the receiver being coddled by the small hands.
A few chortles drifted over the line.
“Amy, sweetie, it’s Mommy.” In the background, Sidney could hear gentle
coaxing coming from her mother and father.
“Hi. Mommy?”
“That’s right, sweetie, it’s Ma-ma.”
“You talking to me?” Then the little girl laughed uncontrollably for a
moment. This was a favorite phrase right now. Amy always hopped off
the ground when she said it. Her daughter proceeded to cradle the phone
and rattle off her own version of life, in a language most of which
Sidney could easily decipher. This morning it was pancakes and bacon
and a bird that she had seen go after a cat outside.
Sidney smiled. Her smile abruptly vanished with Amy’s next words.
“Daddy. I want my daddy.”
Sidney closed her eyes. One of her hands moved across her forehead,
brushing some hair back. She felt a painful mound of air muscling its
way to her throat. She held her hand over the phone so the sound would
not carry.
Recovered, she again spoke into the phone. “I love you, Amy.
Mommy loves you more than anything. I’ll see you in a little while,
okay?”
“Love chu. My daddy? Come over, come over now!”
Sidney heard her father tell Amy to say bye-bye.
“Bye-bye, baby. I’ll be there soon.” The tears fell freely now, their
salty taste very familiar to her.
“Honey?”
“Hello, Mom.” Sidney rubbed her sleeve across her face. The wetness
sprung back immediately, like a stubborn layer of old paint seeping
through the fresh coat.
“I’m sorry, honey. I guess she can’t talk to you without thinking about
Jason.”
“I know.”
“She’s been sleeping all right, at least.”
“I’ll see you soon, Mom.” Sidney hung up the phone and sat with her
head in her hands for a few minutes. Then she drifted over to the
window, where she pulled open the curtains a notch and peered out.