“That was when we first saw each other, and it’s been special ever since.So what happened?How could shehave considered marrying someone else?How could she have done it?And him.He’s as old as the hills, for Christ’s sake.”
“He’s a good man.”
“Tell me she loves him.Can you do that?”
“No.But she likes him.And he’s good to her.”
“I would have been good to her.”
“But you wouldn’t marry her.”
“Because the time wasn’t right, and her arguments were dumb.I’ve been proven right, haven’t I?”He gloated.“She couldn’t get control of Patricia’s stock.The court wouldn’t give an inch.”
“She got hers.”
“It’s friggin’ little of the whole, so what good does it do?”
“It gives her a seat on the board, and exposure.She’s determined to be a vocal presence at meetings.She’s also determined to be the best designerFacetshas.”
“Will he give her time for that—the guy she married?”
“His name is Brendan.And yes, he’ll let her work.He wants her to.He knows it means a lot to her.”
“What about kids?Are they gonna have ’em?”His voice broke up, which was exactly what happened to him inside every time he thought of the baby that wasn’t.He grimaced at the pain.
Hillary’s voice was quiet.“Let me come over, Cutter.”
“No.”He cleared his throat.“No.I’m not dressed.”He looked down at himself.It was half-true.He was bare-chested and bare-footed.He wore pants, but they were open.There didn’t seem much point in doing up thezipper when the only practical thing he’d done in the last twelve hours was pee.
“I’d really like to be there.I think you’re upset.”
He might have known she would offer; she was giving that way.But he didn’t want sympathy.Sympathy wouldn’t move him ahead.“Sure, I’m upset, but I’ll live.I have a great new contract.I’ll have more time to do the things I want.”
“If it’s any consolation, John isn’t—”
“Don’t mention that man’s name to me!I’m apt to get violent.”He fought the pain.“Hillary, did you know about the abortion?”
She was a minute in answering.“Not for a long time.”
“But you did find out.Why didn’t you tell me.”
“It wasn’t my place.”
“Someone should have.I had a right to know.”
“So you could do what?The baby was gone.”
Hearing her say it only added to his bitterness.“It was probably just as well.Having a kid at that age would have messed up her life.”
“You don’t believe that.”
“What else am I supposed to believe?She pops this bit about an abortion on me, then walks out the door.How the hell should I know what she was feeling?”
“You could have asked.You could have called her afterward.You could have gone to Boston to see her.”
He told himself the same things time and again, and each time he wondered whether it would have made a difference.He guessed it might have.But he had never dreamed she would suddenly marry someone else justtwo weeks later.He’d been shortsighted.And bullheaded.“I was angry,” was the only excuse he could give.
“You still are.But ease up on Pam, at least about the abortion.She wanted that baby.She wanted it more than anything.I’m not sure she’s completely over the loss even now.”
