Part 46 (2/2)

”Oh, I wouldn't be so sure. You know, after Byron had his heart attack, I almost left him.”

”Really? How come?”

”His pride. He felt so incapacitated by the fact that he couldn't help himself, and that he was nearing retirement, that he sort of turned against me. When he was bedridden, I set up a room in the house with all his favorite things, maps and model s.h.i.+ps, books he loved. But all he could do was reject my help, hurt me.”

”But it's not the same.”

”Isn't it? Didn't what happened between you and Ivy happen because you knew, in the back of your mind, that you were losing control at Wallaby? And maybe you thought Kate would not want you once that happened?”

Peter stared at her. What she said had never occurred to him, but when he considered it, it rang true.

”Petey, I know my husband better than anyone. And I know when I see someone who's like him. I made a decision many years ago to be his partner, till death do us part. We came close to breaking that promise, until he told me one simple thing.”

”I think I know what he said.”

”Then why don't you say it?”

He hesitated, then it. ”I was scared.”

”And so was he. But when he told me, when he came right out and said it, I understood. Yes, it's different. Infidelity is harder to forgive. But if you tell her why, as you just told me, maybe she'll give you a second chance.”

”It's all so mixed up. There's the baby, and the project and everything going on today. I'm not sure now is the right time.

Everything is so up in the air.”

”But if she were back in your life, Peter, wouldn't these things seem a little more tolerable?”

He looked at his baby. ”Yes,” he said. ”You're right. I'll do it.

I'll call her.”

Greta walked into the bank and faced the long line of customers.

”Ugh,” she sneered, settling her sungla.s.ses in her hair.

Resigned, she labored to the end of the line, a dozen or so people between her and the front. She fished through her purse, looking for a stray form left over from a past visit. She found none, and besides, she wasn't sure which form she needed anyway.

There has to be a better way, she thought, glancing anxiously at the mult.i.tude of forms stacked on the podium beside the line.

Just then, the branch manager appeared from a small room behind the main counter, carrying a handful of papers in his hands. Ah!

There it was, a better way. She managed to catch his eye.

”Bruce! How are you?” Greta said affectionately, catching him lightly by the arm.

”Well h.e.l.lo, Mrs. Locke. How are you?” he said, patting her hand.

She leaned close to his ear. ”I was fine, until I walked into this. It's becoming so difficult to bank.”

<script>