Nantucket (19 page)

Jack followed him inside and Liam opened the fridge and took out a couple of beers. “Want to sit outside?”

“Sure,” Jack said, looking around. “I meant to ask you last time, do you still have your boat?” Liam nodded as he opened the bottles and handed one to Jack. Then he walked outside to the picnic table next to the boathouse.

“Where is it?” Jack asked, and Liam motioned to the barn, suddenly thankful he'd come by to put her away the day before.

“Do you ever take her out?”

“Sometimes.”

Jack frowned. “Are you pissed at me or something?” Liam clenched his jaw. “Yeah, actually. I am.”

“Why?”

“Because you're so damn lucky, Jack, to have Tracey and two great kids, and yet, you treat her like crap. I just can't believe how much you've changed.”

“I haven't changed, Liam. I've always been a shit and you, of all people, should know that.”

“No, you haven't,” Liam said. “When we were in high school . . .
and
in the marines, you . . .”

“I cheated on Tracey.”

Liam's eyes narrowed. “I just can't believe the man I've always thought of as my best friend—who saved my life—is such an ass.”

“Saved your life?
What
are you talking about?”

“When we were under attack and you threw yourself on top of me,” Liam said, shaking his head. “How can I ever turn my back on you after that?”

Jack stared at him. “I didn't throw myself on top of you, Liam.
You
saved me.”

Liam frowned. “What?”

“Yeah, man . . . you saved me.”

Liam shook his head. “I don't remember it that way. . . .”

“Probably because you got hit in the head . . .” Jack paused. “Li, you've always been the good guy . . . and I, well, I've always been a little less than perfect,” he said with a smile. “Do you remember that comic strip,
Goofus and Gallant
?”

Liam shook his head.

“It's a comic strip that used to be in a kids' magazine about two boys—Gallant was always the gentleman and Goofus did everything wrong . . . and when we were growing up, I always thought of you as Gallant and me as Goofus. My mom even used to ask me why I wasn't more like you.” He shook his head. “And if Tracey was smart, she would've ended up with you.”

Liam swallowed. “What are you gonna do?”

“I don't know,” he said. “I've tried to change, but I absolutely suck at it.” He shook his head. “She's better off without me.” He downed his beer. “Want another?”

“No,” Liam said, getting up.

“Want to go to The Brotherhood?”

Liam shook his head. “No.” He hesitated, trying to decide how much he wanted to share. “I've got some stuff goin' on.”

“That's fine,” Jack said with a smile. “Mind if I grab another for the ferry?”

“No, help yourself.”

Jack went into the boathouse and came back out with two beers. “Thanks, man. I owe you.”

“No, you don't,” Liam said. “But let me know how Tracey is.”

“I will,” Jack said. “
If
I find her,” he added with a smile. He turned and headed to his vehicle, but then stopped and turned around. “Hey,” he called, “did you ever find out if that artist was related to what's her name?”

Liam shook his head. “No, I never found out.”

Jack nodded.

T
he next morning, Aidan was up and dressed before anyone else had even opened their eyes. “I'm ready for the open house,” he whispered, nudging Liam.

“Hmm?” Liam murmured, opening one eye.

“Open house . . . you know . . . at my school,” he whispered.

Liam squinted at the clock. “That doesn't start 'til ten, pal.”

“How long is that?”

“Four hours.”

“Oh,” Aidan said gloomily.

Liam looked him over and realized he already had on his sneakers. “You look very nice, though.”

Aidan nodded, and seeing the disappointment on his face, Liam suggested, “Since we have time, how'd you like to help me make French toast?”

Aidan smiled brightly. “Sure!”

“Okay,” Liam said, sitting up, “give me a minute.”

As Aidan shuffled to the kitchen, Cadie whispered, “Good morning.”

“Good morning,” Liam said, looking over. “Sorry we woke you.”

“You didn't wake me . . . I've been awake.” She paused. “You're so good with him.”

“Am I?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Liam smiled skeptically. “Do you need anything?”

“No, I'm fine . . . but I think I might venture to the bathroom in a bit and take a shower.”

“Okay, well, don't hesitate to call me if you need help.”

“Ha!” Cadie said. “Even though you're going to be my husband,” she said, admiring his broad chest, “you're
not
going to see me naked.”

Liam frowned. “I've seen you before . . .”

“That was a long time ago, and I definitely don't look like the same.”

Liam sat on the edge of the bed. “I don't care what cancer has done to your body, Cade. I'll always think you're beautiful.”

Cadie smiled sadly and looked away. Through the blur of tears, she saw a flash of red. “Look,” she whispered, wiping her eyes, “Mr. Cardinal is having his breakfast. He comes for a bedtime snack at dusk too, and he and the little missus chirp back and forth that all is well.”

“Is that what you think?” Liam asked with a smile.

Cadie nodded. “It
is
what they're saying. It's peaceful . . . but at the same time, it's melancholy—like “Taps”—it's as if they're saying the day is over, but God is near.”

Liam smiled and watched as the female landed on the feeder too.

“Hi, Mom,” Aidan said, appearing in the doorway.

“Hi, hon,” Cadie said.

“I'm helping Liam make French toast.”

“You are? Well, you two better get going,” Cadie said, nudging Liam.

“Yup, I'm coming,” Liam said, getting up.

After Liam had pulled on his jeans and T-shirt and disappeared down the hall, Cadie made her way slowly to the bathroom, turned on the shower, brushed her teeth, and took a pain pill. Then she pulled back the curtain and braced herself for the sensation of a thousand needle pricks. She held on to the handrail and let the water rush over her body—and even though it stung, it felt good. She ran her hand over her sunken abdomen, keenly aware that, every day, her body was growing weaker—
Is this the last time I'll be able to shower on my own? It's so strange to experience death in slow motion.
She pushed the thought from her mind, washed the fuzz on top of her head, quickly ran the washcloth over the rest of her thin body, rinsed, turned off the water, reached for her towel, lost her balance and fell.

Tears filled her eyes, and almost immediately, she heard Liam's voice on the other side of the door. “Cadie?!” Are you all right?!”

She could hear his concern, but all she could do was groan.

“Cadie, I know you don't want me to see you, but I have to come in. . . .”

“No,” she moaned.

A moment later, he was kneeling beside her. “Are you okay?”

She nodded.

“What hurts?”

“My head . . . and my elbow,” she said rubbing the side of her head.

“Can you stand up?”

Cadie held on to the side of the tub as Liam helped her up. Then he wrapped the towel around her and pulled her against him. “I'm so sorry,” he whispered. “I'm so sorry you fell . . . I'm so sorry this is happening . . . I'm sorry for
everything
. And I
do
still think you're beautiful.” Hot tears streamed down Cadie's cheeks as she felt his strong arms holding her tightly, her heart aching for all that could've been.

“I
thought you said you didn't know how to cook?” Levi said. “So far, we've had burgers, pancakes,
and now,
French toast . . . and even the lady with no appetite has managed to eat a whole piece,” he added, smiling at Cadie.

“Best French toast
ever,
” she said with her mouth full.

“Well, as I've said before,” Liam said, “every man needs to know how to make pancakes and burgers, but today, the French toast was
all
Aidan—he beat the eggs, added the milk, vanilla, and cinnamon, and dipped every slice of bread for exactly the right length of time—so they soaked up the perfect amount of egg mixture. And then, the most important part, of course, is the snow . . . and he's a pro at sugar sifting.”

Aidan beamed proudly. “Every man needs to know how to make French toast.”

“They also need to know how to help clean up,” Liam said, pushing back from the table. “When I was growing up, Coop used to wash the dishes while I dried . . . so here you go,” he said, tossing a dishtowel in his direction. It landed on Aidan's head, and he pulled it off, grinning, and stood ready to dry.

“What time is Sally coming over?” Cadie asked as they pulled into the elementary-school parking lot.

“Around four . . .
and
she's bringing dinner.”

“She
is?
”

“Mm-hmm.”

“What's she bringing?” Aidan asked from the seat between them.

“Lobster,” he said as he pulled into a spot.

“Cool!”

“Mmm, I love lobster,” Cadie murmured. “I haven't had it in years.”

“That's what I heard,” Liam said, climbing out and lifting the wheelchair from the back of the truck.

Levi and Emma, who'd parked nearby, walked over. “How's your head?”

Cadie ran her finger over the tender spot above her temple. “I've got an egg,” she said, adjusting her pink Red Sox cap.

“Good thing I'm wearing a hat.”

Liam wheeled the chair through the doors and they were immediately greeted by the staff who looked up Aidan's name and directed them down the hall. “You're so lucky,” one lady said, smiling at Aidan. “Mrs. Polley is one of my all-time favorite teachers.”

Aidan nodded, and as they walked down the hall, he turned to Cadie. “Did you hear that?”

“No, what?” Cadie asked.

“She said Mrs. Polley is one of her all-time favorite teachers!”

“That's wonderful, Aid,” Cadie said, her heart swelling with happiness for him.

“Is this it?” Aidan asked, peering into room 24.

“C'mon in,” a cheerful voice called, and Aidan stepped tentatively into the classroom. “You must be Aidan!”

“How'd you know?!” Aidan asked in surprise as Mrs. Polley reached out to shake his hand.

“Because I heard I was getting a very smart new student, and I could tell—just by looking at you—that
you
are very smart.”

Aidan beamed as he looked up at her kind face.

“Would you like to see your desk?”

He nodded and Mrs. Polley led him over to a desk near the window.

“It even has my name on it,” he exclaimed.

“There's a surprise inside too.”

Aidan reached into the desk and pulled out three new pencils—red, blue, and green—all with
Aidan
printed on them. “Cool!”

Mrs. Polley turned to greet everyone and then looked straight in Cadie's eyes. “I'm looking forward to having Aidan in my class.”

“Thank you,” Cadie said. And suddenly realizing the important role this lady would play in Aidan's life during a very difficult time, whispered, “Thank you very much.”

“You're welcome,” Mrs. Polley said softly.

Then she told them about the curriculum she had planned for the year—including a whale watch and a project about shipwrecks. “That'll be right up your alley,” she said, smiling at Liam.

They toured the rest of the school and then looked through the doors to the playground. “Can we go out?” Aidan said hopefully.

Liam looked down at Cadie. “I think we better get going, pal.”

“We'll go out with him,” Levi offered. “You and Mom can head home.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive. Oh, and we might stop somewhere for lunch or ice cream.”

“Or
both,
” Emma said with a grin.

“All right, well, we have to stop at the town hall, but we're heading straight home after that.”

“Okay, see you later!” Aidan said, pushing open the door and running across the grass to join the other kids.