“Rich—”
“Yes?”
“I don’t know how to explain what I did.”
“You could have fucking tried, Em,” said Rich. “How was I supposed to know you didn’t want…what we had…anymore?”
“It’s not that I didn’t want what we had—”
“Isn’t it?”
Emma sat down in Sylvie’s empty library. She saw a copy ofThe Bed Book,a childhood story they’d all loved. “I guess, yes,” she said. “I’m not happy.”
“Why didn’t you justsay something?”
“I wanted to fix it,” said Emma. “I knew I should be happy and so I tried…to be happy.”
“Weird way to fix things,” said Rich. “Jesus Christ, Em.”
“I love you,” said Emma. “I love you and the boys. I can find a way to…”
“Nope,” said Rich. “You’re not finding a way toanythingon your own. We’re in this together, Em. We’re a family, for Christ’s sake!”
“Oh,” said Emma.
“Yeah,” said Rich.
“What about England?” said Emma.
“WhataboutEngland?”
“Would you ever consider living here for a bit?”
“What?”
“I thought I might talk to Simon. And maybe we could see about staying in Mumberton.”
“Staying in Mumberton?”
“The boys gave me the idea. A fresh start. We could just try it and…”
“I mean…OK. OK, Em. Whatever you need.”
“I don’t want you to do it just for me,” said Emma.
“Why not?” said Rich. “Why can’t it just be for you?”
“Because I…” She was about to say,Because I’m nothing.
“Because you…?”
“Because my mom made me feel like I’m nothing.”
Rich was silent. When she did not say more, Rich said, “You’re everything, Em. And if you can’t see that I don’t know what to say.”
“You could say that again.”
“You’re everything, Em. You’re everything to us. To me.”
