I looked at my dad. He looked back at me. We started walking straight toward her. At the last minute, she caught sight of us and smiled.
“Duncan,” she said. “Tess! I wondered if I might see you again. Welcome to Maxine’s planting.”
Grace the Traitor.
This time she was wearing a tunic dress over tights, with a shawl draped across her shoulders. No makeup. In her earth tones, she looked like a forest nymph. A traitorous forest nymph.
“Planting?” I said.
“That’s what we call them, Tess.”
“Is her body going to grow into a field of corn?”
Grace looked around to see if anyone was in earshot.
“You’re upset about something.”
My dad stared at the ground.
“You’re right,” I said. “We’re just a teensy bit upset about the fact that you poached a goddamn funeral from us, Grace. You double-crossing hippie!”
“I didn’t even know you were in the business,” my dad said, more to himself than to her.
Grace looked at me for a minute. Her voice shifted to a stressed whisper.
“I didn’tpoachanything. I met a family that needed my services, and I happily provided them. I assume that’s a lot like what your dad does.”
I took a step toward Grace.
“And I’m sure you had no idea that someone else had already agreed toplantMs. Harp.”
Grace adjusted her shawl and swept a lock of hair away from her eyes.
“They might have mentioned something....”
The crowd was dispersing around us, friends and family members tromping over the preserve, pointing out the pastoral beauty to one another.
“I’ve met enough liars lately,” I said, “to know when I’m looking at one.”
I grabbed my dad’s arm.
“C’mon, Dad,” I said. “Grace, enjoy your planting. I hope the harvest is bountiful.”
I managed to yank him forward, and we started to walk away.
“Hold on,” said Grace. “Wait a second. Will you, Tess?”
I don’t know why I turned back, but when I did, she looked chastened.
“What?” I said. “What is it?”
Her lips were slightly pursed.
“How are you doing?” she asked.
My hands flexed in my pockets. I thought about my last week, the way I had been duped and crushed over and over again.
“I’ve been watching a lot of television,” I said. “Thanks for asking.”
