Epilogue
CLAIRE
Coming home from work that Friday in September, I caught the scent of garlic while I was still on the porch.
Ethan was in the kitchen, his sleeves rolled to his elbows. I kissed him and set my bag on a chair.
Nora was at Mia’s for the night, sending cheerful reports about pancakes. Ethan and I had planned dinner on Monday. I’d chosen an evening at home, and he’d bought what we needed after work. I washed my hands and took the apron he offered.
“How was your day?” he asked.
“Someone came looking for the seed packets he’d left in a book.”
While he sliced the tomatoes, I told him we’d found the gardening book on the returns cart with seven packets of seeds still inside.
“Wouldn’t that make the book twice as fat?”
“Just about. He said he’d finished reading it, so he should be able to grow them all.”
Ethan laughed and tipped the tomatoes into the bowl. As he turned to check the fish, the phone on the counter rang. Evelyn’s name lit the screen. He answered and turned down the heat.
“Mom.”
I poured olive oil into the salad bowl. He listened for a while, then asked if she had guests over tonight.
“I’m not coming over tonight. Claire and I made plans to have dinner together. We’re already cooking.”
I took out two plates and set them on the table.
“I could come see you Sunday afternoon, around 3:00 p.m. Will you be home?”
She spoke for a while. He leaned against the counter.
“All right. Sunday at 3:00 p.m., then. Give everyone my regards tonight.”
He put down the phone and turned the fish. I took the bread out of the oven.
“Did he take the seeds?” he asked.
“Yes. Then he came back and renewed the book.”
Ethan laughed again. He carried our plates to the table by the window while I brought the salad and bread. The September light was fading, so I switched on the little lamp before sitting down.
He pulled his chair closer to mine. I tore off a piece of bread and began telling him about the rest of my day.