“What did you bring?” said London. “I’m hungry.” She shot a glance at the trash can, hoping her mother wouldn’t spy the Snickers wrapper. Too late, said the damning blue eyes.
“I made meatball soup and gravlax sandwiches…if you still have an appetite.”
“Sounds good.”
“And I’m not giving any salmon to that damned cat. He’s fat enough already.”
London noted that her mother’s hand shook only a little as she set the sandwiches on their plates and poured herself a glass of Chardonnay.
“Are you feeling well?”
“Why shouldn’t I be?”
“You look wonderful.”
“I can still outrun you, young lady. Don’t forget it.”
“I won’t, Mama.”
“Two miles this morning.”
“Wow. Good for you.”
Astrid Li carried the plates into the dining area and set them on the table. “Let’s eat.” She shot London a sly smile. “I hear salmon goes wonderfully with candy bars.”
Lunch lasted an hour. Afterward, Astrid Li packed the empty containers into her bag. There was no disguising the shaking this time.
“Mama!”
“I’m just fine. The tremors come and go. It’s to be expected.”
“Isn’t there medicine?”
“Don’t you think I’m taking it?” retorted Astrid Li. “Now, shall we talk about something else?”
“Have you fallen lately?”
“Do I look as if I’ve fallen? I’m fine, and I’ll stay fine as long as I tell myself to. It’s a question of discipline. Like the piano.”
London took her mother by the arms. “Please, Mama, you have to let it go.”
But Astrid Li had never asked for quarter, or given it. “If you wanted it, if you really wanted it, you could be there now. Carnegie Hall. The Salle Pleyel.”
London nodded, knowing better than to argue. It had always been this way. Her mother would beat her multiple sclerosis just as London should have conquered the injuries to her hand. The Book According to Astrid Sörensson Li.
London handed her mother her bag, kissing her on the cheek. “You know I’m here if you need me. Just call.”
“We see each other once a week,” said Astrid Li. “I think that is sufficient. You’re a busy woman. So am I.”
“Yes, Mama.” London didn’t bother with a smile as she walked her mother to the door.
“I’ll be looking for your name in the paper,” said Astrid Li in parting.
After her mother left, London sat back down at her desk and got back to work. She started on the second path, turning to the pages listing members of the management teams and boards of directors. Quickly, two hits. Brunei and Indonesia, each country’s minister of finance serving on the board.
She called back Benson Chow with the news.
“By the way,” he said. “I was thinking, instead of dinner, how about a weekend at Amanpuri?”
