“He went to work.” Elaine sounded embarrassed. “I wantedhim to stay home, but he said he had meetings he couldn’t miss. Our rabbi will be here after lunch. I hope he can get through to Charles.”
“If you want, I can send Jill over later. The ice cream truck comes this afternoon, just late enough to spoil the kids’ dinner. I’ll have Jill get something for Charles and bring it to him. What does he like?”
“The cookie sandwich with the vanilla ice cream and the chocolate chips. Thank you, Natalie.”
“I’d better get back. Justin’s watchingThe Smurfseven though Gargamel scares him.”
“He scares me, too,” Elaine admitted. “I think it’s because he only has that single tooth. It’s like a can opener.”
Hearing the smiles in the women’s voices, Una imagined them clasping hands, just for a moment, before Natalie walked out of the house.
Una finished her water and placed the glass in the dishwasher. Elaine came forward, holding a check in her hand.
“Thanks for taming the chaos in here. I thought I could make everything better if I could find the perfect breakfast for Charles. Silly, I know, but I didn’t know what else to do. Anyway, we’ll see you next week.”
In her car, Una glanced at the check. Elaine had paid her the full amount even though Una had only cleaned half of the house. And because Natalie wasn’t going to the office, Una didn’t need to watch Justin, which meant she was free for the rest of the day.
Instead of going home, she drove down the Scotts’ driveway and parked in the nook near the basketball hoop.
Lady and Tramp announced her arrival. Natalie opened the door but didn’t have the chance to speak because Justin skirted around her and wrapped his arms around Una’s legs.
“Una!” he cried in delight.
She kissed his plump cheek and looked at Natalie. “I’m going to the library, and I thought Justin might like to come with me.”
“Are you sure?”
Putting a hand on Justin’s golden head, Una said, “I wouldn’t mind the company. This seems like a good day for a quiet place like the library.”
“You heard what happened?”
Una gave Justin a little push. “Go get your shoes. We’ll stop at the hobby shop after we get our books.”
Justin let out a whoop of joy and raced away.
“I heard two boys are missing,” whispered Una.
Natalie joined her on the stoop. “There’s no sign of the boys, except for one life jacket. The current near those rocks is pretty strong, but...” She trailed off.
“Jimmy is looking for them?”
Natalie nodded. “Lots of people are. Harbor patrol, sailors from three yacht clubs, and parents from all over.”
Una looked over Natalie’s shoulder to the windows facing the harbor. The water was draped in sun-sparkles. The light was too bright. It burned tiny globes into Una’s eyes. She looked away just as Justin reappeared, carrying his sneakers and a quarter. “I want a candy necklace,” he said, offering the coin to Una.
Natalie retrieved her purse from the coat closet. A movement caught her eye, and she froze in the middle of opening her wallet.
Jill stood in the hall, gripping the stair rail with one hand. She was dressed in jean shorts and a green Izod shirt that was too small on her. Her hair was a nest of tangles.
“Can I come, too?” she asked in a near whisper.
“If it’s okay with your mom,” Una said.
Natalie pointed at the bathroom. “Brush your hair first.”
Una helped Justin with his sneakers and settled him into the back seat. Jill came outside a few minutes later, her hair fastened in a low ponytail.
Normally, she was a talkative child, but she didn’t say a word on the drive to Greenlawn. Justin filled the silence by humming the theme song toThe Smurfsover and over again.
