I looked at him, waiting for something more.
It didn’t come.
“Right,” I said. “Just Mom.”
He grabbed his swim trunks and headed for the door, humming again.
And I realized I was already alone in this even with my husband ten feet away.
“That’s just Mom.”
Downstairs, I could hear Diane laughing with her daughters.
Her voice carried up the stairs like she owned every inch of the house.
I glanced once more at the dress hanging there, bright and hopeful and out of place.
***
The next morning smelled like salt and coffee.
For a moment I almost forgot how much I dreaded sitting at that breakfast table.
Then Diane peered over her mug at my plate.
I dreaded sitting at that breakfast table.
“Well, honey, looks like you ate too much for the beach today!” she announced, loud enough for the whole kitchen to hear. “Perhaps you forgot you aren’t eating for two anymore.”
