Part 23 (1/2)
I heard the tightness in her voice ”Jonathan! Where are you?”
”In West Virginia, a little town called Fitchville Ever hear of it?”
”No” Her voice was still tight ”I was going out of my mind It's been four days since you left”
”I'm okay”
”You could have called Anne's parents ild She didn't leave a note We figured she ith you”
”You figured right”
”Her mother wants her to call”
”I'll tell her”
”I hope you two arei(i't doing anything foolish,” she said
I laughed ”Nothing to worry about Mother She's on the pill”
”That's not what I'rew annoyed
”Tell therass away” I changed the subject ”I haven't caught the news What happened with Dan?”
”They made him president It all worked out just like your father said it would”
”I'ratulations when you see him”
She was silent
”Mother?”
The phone was still silent
”Mother, what's wrong?”
Her voice broke ”The house is e is dead,” I said
She was crying now ”Jonathan, please come home I feel so alone”
220
I
”Even if I were there, Mother, I couldn't help that”
”There were always people here So on Now Mamie and I just stare at each other all day Or watch television”
”Where's Jack?” I asked
She hesitated before she answered She still had to get used to the fact that I knew about them ”He won't be able to coton with hio down there? There's still the apartment”
”It's not ours anymore It's the Confederation president's apartment”
”I'ht People would talk”
”Marry him, then, if that's what you're worried about”
”I don't want to” She paused for a moment ”I was married to your father I'm not ready yet to settle for less of a man”
”I believe you, Mother But you have to start putting your life together again He's dead You don't have to wear black the rest of your life”
Her voice was suddenly hushed ”Jonathan, are youexactly what he would say”
”I'row up sometime We never had to while he was around He made all the decisions for us Noe have to find our oay”
”Is that what you're doing, Jonathan?”
”I', Mother And I will If he lets o easy,” she said
”I know”
”So do I” There was a brief pause ”Where are you staying? Is there any way I can reach you?”
”No, Mother I' around I don't know exactly where I'll be”
'' Will you call ain? Soon''
''About the middle of next week,” I said
''Do you need any money?”
”Fm okay But if I run short, I knohere to call”