Rick nodded, shoving his hands deep into his shorts pockets. Gwen, you know I have always appreciated your dedication to Meadowbrook.

Thank you.

However, I do not appreciate your attempt to manipulate me with guilt or any other emotion. It isnt working and never will.

One of her pale eyebrows shot high on her forehead. I would never attempt anything of the kind.

Good. Rick remained outwardly calm but inside he was fuming. Go tonight without me. Make the most prudent decisions possible. I am confident the foundation is in good hands.

Gwen beamed, as if their exchange had been tension-free. Thank you for your confidence, Rick. So, if I may ask, what plans do you have tonight that are so important?

He paused a second, wondering how to answer. On one hand, if Gwen knew he had a girlfriend, it might put an end to her fishing expeditions. On the other, knowing Rick had changed his policy on women could spur Gwen to double her efforts. It didnt matter, Rick knew. The truth was the truth. It was that simple.

Im getting takeout pizza with my girlfriend. Then were going to walk her dog around the neighborhood.

Gwen froze. It was as if her living flesh turned to solid ice before his eyes. She didnt flinch or breathe, but Rick knew what had to be flashing through her mindall those times hed turned down her invitations to chic picnics, black-tie fund-raisers, the opera, box seats at AT amp;T Park, quaint restaurants… the list had grown long in six years. In her stillness, Gwen was probably trying to grasp the fact that Rick had not only been disinterested in women as a matter of principle, but hed also been disinterested in her, specifically.

She blinked, the ice sculpture beginning to thaw. Did you say /girlfriend/? she asked.

He nodded.

Pizza?

Yes.

And a /dog/?

A Labradoodle.

Gwen put a hand to her throat, as if she were literally trying to stop a rise of bile.

I She laughed uncomfortably, shaking her head. But I thought… Im sorry, just a moment. She took a steadying breath and pasted on a cool smile. Is this a recent development?

It is.

Well, this comes as quite a shock, Rick. Ive always assumed… She stopped suddenly, tucking her portfolio under her arm. Ill send you a summary from the meeting, she said, her words clipped. If theres any recommendation you dont agree with, let me know immediately. We cant afford another day of fiscal hemorrhaging.

I will.

Good-bye, Rick.

With that, Gwen Anders strolled to Ricks office door, her hips and her straight yellow hair swaying as she moved. The instant her hand reached the doorknob, she looked over her shoulder. A set of pale blue eyes scanned Ricks face for a last-minute clarification, an explanation/something/.

See you, Gwen, he said. Thanks again.

Gwen Anders wasnt the type who slammed doors. So it surprised Rick when she did.

Beth? Josie couldnt believe her eyes. Her sister hadnt once come to see her at work in all the years Josie had been at the paper, and the day she decided to visit, she brought their mother! Mom? Oh, my God, whats wrong?

Josie heard the voice of Denise the newsroom receptionist from behind her shoulder. Conference Room A again? she asked kindly.

Josie nodded and mumbled her thanks, showing her sister and mother into the room. The things that went through her head were in this order: /Dad has had a heart attack; Donald has died in a plane crash; one of the babies has just been diagnosed with a terminal illness./ Her moms face was lined with exhaustion. Beth couldnt look Josie in the eye.

Just spit it out, Josie said. Dont torture me like this.

Well, Josies mother began, glancing quickly in Beths direction. Howie has asked your sister for a separation. Hes already moved his things out of the house and rented himself an apartment in town, close to work.

Josie shook her head as if to unplug her ears. This couldnt be right. /What?/ Beth looked up, her eyes unnaturally bright as they latched on to Josie.

So? Arent you happy? Arent you going to say you told me so?

Josie fell against the seat back, speechless. She had to remind herself that her baby sister was probably in shock and that a /whump!/ upside her head might not be in her best interest.

Thats enough, Beth, their mother said, her voice as tired as her face.

You said you needed Josies help and advice, so lets forgo the bitterness.

Beth looked down, wringing and twisting her hands in her lap.

Josie turned to her mother for some context. Want to fill me in?

Ann Sheehan sniffed. It was obvious shed been crying, so Josie reached out and touched her moms arm. Are the kids doing okay? Just answer me that.

Theyre oblivious, thank God. They think Daddys at work. Theyre with Grandpa right now.

Josie nodded, feeling some relief. Did the two of you have a fight, Beth?

A whopper, she said, still looking at her hands.

What about?

Beth shrugged, slowly raising her face. He came home late again and forgot to stop at the store like Id asked him to. I was really mean to him. I said some really awful things that I shouldnt have.

Okay. Josie looked to her mother, who rolled her eyes heavenward. What exactly did you say, Beth?

Well… I dont remember the /exact/ words.

Their mom blew out a hiss of air. Thats such a load of bullshit, Beth.

Just tell her what you told Howie. Hows your sister supposed to help you if she doesnt know what you did?

Josie tried not to look shocked. Shed never heard her mother say anything more than an occasional hell or damn, and every once in a while a Sweet Mother of Jesus would pop out, which, along with Shakespeares Greatest Hits, was reserved for times of true crisis.

Beth rolled her head around, looking at anything and everything in the conference room except her mother and sister. I told him he was as sexy as leftover meat loaf, she said very matter-of-factly. I told him Id be perfectly happy if he never touched me again as long as I lived. I told him he was useless as a father and I couldnt stand the way he smelled.

Josie shut her eyes for a second and thought, /Sweet Mother of Jesus./ Okay. Anything else? She couldnt believe she dared to ask.

Yeah. I told him I only married him because I knew hed take care of me financially. I told him I settled when I married him. That he didnt excite me and never really had.

Josie bit her bottom lip so hard she tasted blood. She glanced briefly at her mother, whose mouth was pulled into a narrow white line of distress.

Okay. So did you mean any of it?

Beth let out a groan. No! Maybe some of it. I dont know. I just She looked up at Josie with an expression of bewilderment. I think somethings wrong with me, Josie. Ive been so unhappy. Miserable. I ache all over. Im exhausted. Some days I cant even walk up the stairs. Some days I dont… I cant… I dont even like my own babies! Ive been too angry and tired to love my own kids!

Josie reached out and caught her sister as she fell forward into her arms. Josies mom leaned over and kissed the top of Beths head and handed her youngest child a stack of tissues. Beth cried and cried. Eventually, Josie patted her sister on the shoulder and asked, Whens the last time you went to the doctor, Beth?

She blew her nose in a tissue and shrugged. Whenever Chloes last checkup was, when she had her last round of vaccinations. I dont knowthree months ago or something?

Was that the pediatrician?

Beth nodded.

No, Beth. Im talking about /you/. When is the last time you went to a doctor and had a complete physical?

She looked at Josie like she was speaking a foreign language. Uh, when I was in college? I dont knowit had to be before I got pregnant with Calvin. But Ive been to the obstetrician more times than Id like to remember.