Part 7 (1/2)
”I found this light fixture on the workbench, Gary said, coming into the room. ”Wheres it supposed to go?
”My bedroom, but Gary, you dont have to She stopped when he headed down the hall. She turned to his sister. ”Whats the other thing?
”What?
”You said, when I tried to kick you out of Newenham, that you couldnt go because for one thing, Im on a story. Whats the other thing?
”Oh. That.
”Wy? Garys was a voice crying in the wilderness. ”Where do you keep your paint?
”At the paint store! Whats the other thing? she repeated to Jo.
”Okay. Jo fortified herself with a long swallow of beer. ”Its this. Liam doesnt have anything to be worried about. Does he? With you and... She jerked her head toward the bathroom.
”No.
”He doesnt seem to know that.
”I dont follow you.
Jos sigh was heavy and martyred. ”If he were sure of himself with you, he wouldnt give a d.a.m.n how many ex-boyfriends were hanging around.
”Oh, for G.o.ds sake, Jo, cant you let this alone? I told you yesterday I ”I know. Jo nodded. ”I listened very carefully and I heard every word you said.
”So?
”So, what I didnt hear you say was that you were completely, totally, and irrevocably committed to Liam Campbell, forsaking all others, world without end, amen. If I dont hear you saying that, Im pretty sure Liam doesnt, either.
Wy was confused. ”I still dont get what this has to do with your bringing Gary down here to get Liam all riled up.
”You say you love him.
”I do.
”You say you want him.
”I do.
”But you wont say youll marry him.
”I cant have kids.
”I know that. And you told him, and so does he, now.
”He wants kids.
”Does he want them more than you?
”He says not.
”And you dont believe him.
Wy was silent.
”And all these years, I thought you were so smart. Jo gave her head a long, sad shake. ”Somebodys got to hold your feet to the fire, girl.
”And you think youre just the person to do that.
”Who better?
”Seen anything of Jim Wiley lately?
Beneath Wys amazed gaze, Jos fair skin flushed a deep and unexpected red. ”Up yours, Chouinard.
”Up yours times two, Dunaway, Wy said, delighted to turn the tables. ”Come to think of it, I havent heard any tales this past month of your latest conquests, and usually I get on average at least one call a week. Not to mention which, youre traveling with your brother, also a rare event, as you usually use your trips to see me as getaway weekends for you and your latest. You and Jim, hmmm. You wouldnt be seeing each other socially, by any chance?
”In his dreams.
”Or in yours, Wy retorted, and then had to duck.
After dinner and coffee and still no appearance by Liam, Jo and Gary took their leave with suitable expressions of grat.i.tude. During the time before and after dinner, Gary had found and fixed the leak in the bathroom, recaulked the bathtub, installed the new light fixture in Wys bedroom, and put a ground fault interruptor in the outlet next to the kitchen sink.
”Handy, isnt he? Jo said.
”Speedy, too, Wy said.
Gary gave Wy a long look. ”With some things. With others, I take my time.
”Too much information, Jo said. ”Were out of here.
Wy closed the door behind them and went back to Tims room.
He was sprawled across his bed, head propped up on a pillow, reading.
”Hey, Wy said.
”Hey, Tim said without looking around.
Wy sat next to him. ”What are you reading?
He turned the cover of the book toward her, and went back to reading.
” Little Fuzzy, Little Fuzzy, Wy said, pleased. ”One of my favorites. For fun or for work? Mrs. Cash, the English teacher for seventh, eighth and ninth grades at Newenham Public School, was teaching a science-fiction lit cla.s.s this semester. Wy said, pleased. ”One of my favorites. For fun or for work? Mrs. Cash, the English teacher for seventh, eighth and ninth grades at Newenham Public School, was teaching a science-fiction lit cla.s.s this semester.
”Work.
”You like it?