“Kimberly and Kenny?”
He nodded. “They want to get married right away. Kimberly really needs something positive in her life right now. Kenny is totally up for it. The oh-so-exclusive Dorset Yacht Club, however, is not.”
“So where are they…?”
“My little slice of beach on Big Sister. They’ll exchange vows at sunset at the water’s edge. Kimberly’s yoga mentor, Anna, will do the honors. She also happens to be a practicing periodontist and justice of the peace. Not your typical career path but, hey, it’s Dorset. A few close friends will be there. No more than twenty people. There will be, I’m told, various musical selections by the Grateful Dead. Some champagne and finger food, courtesy of Beth. Kimberly’s best friend is coming down from Vermont to be her maid of honor. We already know who the best man is.”
“Mitch, I wouldn’t miss it. And I’m bringing Bella. She loves weddings.”
“Good. It’ll be a happy occasion.”
“Speaking of happy occasions, Tawny Tedone gave birth at three o’clock this morning-a seven pound, three-ounce girl named Adriana. Rico woke Yolie out of a sound sleep to give her the news. Couldn’t wait to tell her.”
“He’s one mondo-proud papa, I take it.”
“One mondo-insecure papa is more like it. Yolie cracked this case without him. Grabbed a ton of face time on national TV. Big-time props up at the headmaster’s house. She’ll probably make lieutenant now, which she totally deserves. Little man’s freaking out.”
“And how about Yolie? Is she planning a little trip to New York City any time soon?”
“Not that I know of.”
“Really? I’m surprised.”
“Don’t be. Lieutenant Very’s on his way back to Dorset as we speak. Has to clean out Augie’s apartment. He’s the man’s executor and sole heir. Not that Augie left him much of value.”
“That GTO isn’t exactly chopped liver. And you should see Augie’s collection of vintage Playboy magazines.”
“I’ll pass on those, thanks. Very is planning to stay in the apartment for a few days.”
“Is Yolie pumped about it?”
“Actually, she told me she keeps feeling as if she’s about to throw up.”
“That’s not necessarily a bad sign.”
“Yeah, it is. He’s making her dinner there Saturday night.”
“Get out, the guy cooks, too?”
“That’s just what I said.” Des took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Mitch, it was sweet of you to do this but you really don’t have to stay.”
“Will you stop being such a butthead already?”
“I’m sorry, what did you just say?”
“I want to be here with you. Don’t you get it? This is what people who love each other do. I’m not going anywhere, period. So just deal with it, tough guy.” He fished a dog-eared paperback from his back pocket. “If it’ll make things any easier you can just pretend I’m not here, okay?”
“What’s that you’re reading?”
“A collection of essays by the late, great H. L. Mencken.”
“Since when are you into him?”
“I’m not. Let’s just say my curiosity was piqued recently.”
He turned his attention to his book. Des returned to her drawing, focusing on Augie’s facial expression-the total shock that was frozen there for all time. She drew. Mitch read his book. She kept on drawing. Mitch kept on reading. Each of them in their separate spaces. Until, slowly, Des reached over and found Mitch’s hand with hers. He gave it a squeeze and held on to it. And, together, they waited.