Are you sure about this? Riley's legs were much longer than Kat's, but he had to walk at a fast clip to keep up with her.
Oh, I'm positive, she said, barreling up Main Street.
Even though it was a Sunday, the downtown was busy with students and locals, and many of them had stopped to ask Kat questions about the upcoming clinic benefit. Riley was flabbergasted at how Kat had whipped together something so complex in such a short time. From what he could tell, half the town was involved. He wondered if maybe Kat should ditch the psychology degree and just go straight to being the president's chief of staff.
You were right, Riley, she said, gaining steam as she headed to the intersection of Forest Drive. He can't hurt me anymore, and I can't believe I've been here almost three weeks and I'm just now believing that!
Riley didn't have a good feeling about this. I take it he has no idea we're coming.
I don't think he's gonna have many scheduling conflicts, Kat said sarcastically.
Riley didn't respond. They kept walking. He glanced over to Kat, shoulders back, head up, feet a blur. Eventually he figured he should bring up another possibility. He might not be feeling well.
Her eyes flashed.
He's missed two appointments now. The guy's had an angioplasty and needs follow-up care with his cardiologists but refuses to go.
Have you called Rita?
Riley nodded. She told my nurse that she's happy to drive him and has offered to do so, but he tells her he's too busy.
Kat laughed. It guess it takes real time and effort to be the biggest asshole in the state of West Virginia.
Kat. Riley reached for her arm, stopping her.
She shrugged away from his grasp. Yes?
Are you sure you want to approach him like this?
She put her hands on her hips and looked peeved. What do you mean?
Look at youyou've been going non-stop lately and now you're charging over there to tackle your father like he was just another item on your to-do list.
She blinked at him. If you didn't want to come with me, all you had to do was say so.
Riley looked up to the sky to ask for patience. When his gaze returned to earth again, Kat's demeanor had changed. She took his hand.
You're right, Riley. She brushed her fingers over the tops of his. I am pretty jazzed right now, but I think it's time to start talking with him. As Rita said, he won't be around forever. Kat looked up at Riley with sadness in her eyes. Please come with me, she said. I could use your support.
Riley gave Kat the tightest squeeze he could without cracking her spine, lifted her up, and kissed her. It's a deal, he said, putting her back down on the pavement. All I ask is that you take it slow. You don't have to try to right every wrong in one visit.
I hear you, she said.
A few minutes later they stood on the walkway leading up to the front stoop. Kat took several steps forward, pulled the storm door away, and knocked firmly on the wooden door. When she got no response, she knocked again, this time somewhat more firmly. The third time was a straight-out pound.
Kat?
She didn't answer Riley. She let the metal storm door slam shut, its spring mechanism busted.
Riley was about to suggest they try the back when Kat headed across the yard toward the back gate. Riley jogged to catch up before she reached the kitchen entrance. This time, she skipped the warming-up knock and went straight to the pounding.
The door flung open. They both gasped. Riley wasn't sure what he was seeing, and reached for his cell to call EMS.
What do you want? Virgil looked like a ghost. His face, neck, chest, arms, and hands were covered in a coating of fine white powder. His eyes seemed to pop from his colorless face, pink-rimmed and crazed.
Kat turned to Riley and said matter-of-factly, Marble dust.
Riley put his phone away.
Well? Virgil looked at each of them like they were strangers. I'm on lunch break. I'm busy. What the hell is it?
I wanted to talk to you for a minute, Kat said. Ever hear of calling in advance?
Riley noticed that Virgil's hands shook and he was unsteady on his feet.
Would you have answered? Kat asked.
Fuck, no.
Riley knew that if Virgil had decided to pick up the bottle again after twenty years of sobriety, he'd be a human grenade with the pin already pulled. Not only did he get violent when he drank; he also was on a laundry list of meds that would lose their efficacy when combined with alcohol, if not create a toxic soup in his bloodstream. His third heart attack would be just around the corner.
Did you ever stop drinking, Dad? Kat asked the question with such innocent disappointment that it broke Riley's heart.
Virgil grunted. He wrapped his white claw around the door and stepped outside, then took a wobbly step toward Kat. I don't know. Did you ever stop being a whore?
Riley was a nanosecond from kicking the old man's feeble ass when Kat quietly moved closer to her father and reached for his hand. Riley hadn't known what to expect, but what Kat did was the last thing in the world he would have imaginedshe leaned in and kissed Virgil's cheek. He was as stunned as Riley was.
I was really hoping we could talk some things through, Kat continued. I have some questions I wanted to ask you about what happened when I was a kid. I even thought Her eyes flashed to Riley as if to warn him that she was pulling out the big guns. I thought if the talk went well, and if you felt up to it, you could join us for Thanksgiving dinner.
Oh yeah? he asked. Well, a fine howdy-do to you, too, Mother Teresa, but I think I'll pass.
Kat sighed. She turned toward Riley, her face a mask of sadness, and he reached out for her hand. Let's go, she said.
You fucking bitch! Without warning, Virgil threw the door wide and lunged for Kat. Riley got between them and grabbed Virgil firmly around both of his thin upper arms, pushing him back against the side of the house. He felt as light and hollow as a bird.
Virgil, get hold of yourself. This is not what you want to do right now.
Riley made sure Virgil was focusing on him and not Kat. You're going inside to sleep it off. If you don't, I'll get the ambulance here and they'll take you back to Davis and I'll admit you.
Fuck you, you fucking /Bohland/.
Let's go. Kat tugged on Riley's sleeve.
Stay and fight like a man! Virgil screamed, the spit flying everywhere.
Riley guided him back inside the kitchen door, then shut it.
The walk back to Kat's was much slower. It was also completely silent except for the phone call Riley made to Rita, informing her that her brother was in a drunken rage and needed to be taken to the hospital.
When they reached Kat's place, she took Riley by the hand and headed upstairs. She led him to the bed, peeled off his coat and then her own, and brought him down to lie next to her. Please hold me, she said.
He did. They fell asleep in their clothes. /Grinding, grinding, sanding, sanding…/ the faces of women were emerging from the stone now, women who'd pleasured him, women he'd controlled, women he wanted to control, women who pissed him off or turned him on, women who got him so angry they deserved to be pushed out of windows, women who made him feel lucky to be a man.
To most sculptors, this part of the process was the least enjoyableall the work, hours and hours of dipping silicon carbide sandpaper in water, slowly working your way from the coarser to the finer grits, wearing down the marble in an imitation of the ways of nature, the millions of years of rain and wind and dust and light and heat and cold it would have taken to get the same gloss. But Virgil loved it. He loved the physicality of it. He loved how he got to be God in human form, how the baseness of his efforthunched over and pushing, pushing, pushing the sandpaper over the rockresulted in such beauty. /Grind, grind, sand, sand…/ the women exposing themselves to him, just as he knew they would. And they were exquisite, every one of them.
Good Lord, that's the most hideously ugly thing I've ever seen in my life.
Virgil didn't even bother looking up. Then stay away from mirrors, Rita.
He hoped that if he just kept working, she'd go away, but instead he sensed her moving closer.
There should be a limit to how many heads can go on a single sculpture.
Get out.
Riley called me, she said.
So what?
He said you were in a drunken rage and needed to go to the hospital. So I'm here to take you.
Do I look full of rage?
You look very ill, Virgil. You've just had a heart procedure. And obviously, you've been drinking.
Fuck you. Fuck the procedure. Fuck Bohland. Fuck /everyone./ For some inexplicable reason, Rita decided that that was her invitation to sit down on the sculpting stool and cross her varicose-veined legs like she was getting settled in for a nice long visit. Virgil ignored her. He dipped. He hunched. He sanded.
Did Kat say anything to you today?
Yeah. She invited me to Thanksgiving dinner, if you can believe that.
Rita was quiet. Virgil looked out of the corner of his eye to see her staring in disbelief. Finally, she said, I'm sure she was crushed to hear that your dance card was full.
I told her to fuck off.
At least you're consistent.
Go away.
What I meant was… Rita's voice trailed off. Well, I was wondering if Kat said anything about her childhood, you know, anything about BettyAnn or you.
Virgil threw the 150-grit sandpaper sheet onto the studio floor, right at Rita's feet. I am working. I don't want you here. I don't want to discuss my dead wife. Now, get out.
It's just that Riley's office has been badgering me, Rita persisted.
They said you really need to get back to the cardiologist.
I don't want to go to that foreigner! Leave me alone!
You're killing yourself, she said, like she was his principal, the principal of the world.
If I die, I die. He was growing really tired of this conversation. And up until that moment, I'd like to work in solitude.
Rita groaned.
This is my masterpiece.
It's a piece of something, all right, she said.
Virgil tried to stand up tall, but his body began to sway. Rita, he said, pointing at her with a wavering arm, you're an ugly old-maid schoolmarm who couldn't get laid if her life depended on it, and forgive me if I don't see the value in your critique, but you don't know shit about art or life or passion or… He staggered, catching himself on the edge of the worktable. Anyway, you're ugly. Get out.
With a deep sigh, Rita stood up from the work stool. Her lips were pursed, and Virgil noticed how old she looked. When did that happen?
I hate you, she said flatly. I always have. I don't know why I ever moved to this town to be near you. You may have been my only living relative, but you are a waste of humanity. I'm sorry for every kind thing I ever did for you, because you deserved nothing. Then she turned her back on him and headed for the door.
Not as much as I hate you, you wrinkled old cow.
By the way, she said, clearly about ready to deliver her parting shot.
That's no masterpieceit's a freak show. I hope you rot in hell.
Thank God she was gone. He could get back to the lovely ladies. Virgil knew they'd missed him.
I absolutely refuse to do that, Carrie said.
You have a better idea?
Yes, in fact, I have a great idea, Madelinehow about you just drop it?
How about you get over yourself? Find a hobby? I can tell you from personal experience that it feels fabulous!
Uh-huh.
I've met someone!
Madeline couldn't resist. So, when's the wedding? she asked.
Carrie said nothing at first, but when she did speak, her words came out clipped. I want you to stop calling at work or at home. I think this borders on harassment, and I will get a protective order if I have to.
Madeline laughed so hard she had to stop pinching the edge of the piecrust.
You were never really my friend, anyway, Carrie continued. I just used you.
Madeline tossed the rolling pin down on the counter. Yeah. I'm real clear on that. But obviously, you're not so clear on the situation we have right here, right now.
I'm hanging up.
Fine. Then I'll be sending out some e-mails as soon as I get these apple pies in the oven. I think I've got everybody I need, but tell me if I'm missing anyone important. Let's seethe director of the state's Department of Health and Human Resources; the chairman of the state medical board's committee on impaired physicians; your assistant, Alice; your parents, Charlie and Verna Mathis of Beckley, West Virginia; the chairman of the legislative committee on whatever it's called You wouldn't!
Madeline laughed. Carrie, just do it, for crying out loud. Come to Persuasion for the Thanksgiving benefit and bid on Mattyou'll make a donation for a good cause and you'll get me off your back. I can't see the harm in that.
And you'll drop this?
Madeline did a silent victory dance. If you make Nola visibly jealous and work her into a tizzy, I'll drop this. It's a promise.
Carrie didn't miss a beat. But I have no control over whether Nola goes into a tizzy, or even what constitutes a tizzy.
Madeline supposed Carrie had a point, which made her pout. Do it or I hit the?send' button.
Fine, Carrie said with finality. I make Matt's bail in the charity auction and I'll make sure everyone thinks I'm hot for him, and you'll back off. Agreed?
Agreed.
What time is the auction?
Two.
That seems an odd time, right in the middle of the day like that, but OK. Carrie sighed with defeat. After the auction, I want nothing to do with you. You will never tell a soul about my, uh, shortcomings.
The fund-raiser takes Visa, Madeline said.
Thanksgiving Eve was here, and Kat's heart was filled with love and gratitude as she studied the faces of those gathered around the fireplace. Aidan had come. That alone sent Kat bouncing off the walls with happiness. He'd brought his girlfriend, Rachel Mishmurtha, who Kat could tell was trying her best to overcome her shyness. There was Matt and Nola. And Riley, of course. Loretta was snoozing near the hearth.
Everyone was enjoying delivery pizza, beer, and hot apple cider while the heavy sweetness of baking pies permeated the house.
Calzones absolutely taste different than pizza, Nola said, defending her position. She and Matt were snuggled together on the end of the couch involved in an intense discussion.
How could they, baby? Matt asked. You make pizza dough. You smear pizza sauce on it. You add meat and cheese and whatever else you want; then you flip the crust over on itself. You bake it. It comes out a deformed pizza.
Nola was not giving up. I am an Italian, she said, waving her hands around in case no one believed her. I know my Italian food. Calzones taste different than pizzas.
Matt shrugged. All right, but why anyone would want to do that to a perfectly good pizza is beyond me. He took another drink of his beer.
When Kat glanced in Riley's direction, he was already looking at her, his face lit up with relaxation and happiness. She was astounded at how different he appeared lately. That day she saw him walk into the ER room to check on Virgil, Riley had looked dog-tired, on the surface and deep down in his soul. She now knew that's exactly what he'd been, because he hadn't been able to find her and Aidan, and had just put himself in hock for the rest of his life in order to save the clinic.
To night, everything was different for Riley. His woman and his child were right there with him, and Riley was about to come clean with Matt.
Matt, there's something I need to tell you.
Hmm? Matt and Nola apparently had reached a truce and then reached for each other.
Look, I just wanted to tell you I did something stupid recentlyI took out a second mortgage on the Bohland House and got into some trouble with the payments.
Matt dragged his gaze from Nola and blinked at his brother. You don't say.
Yeah. I took out a… Riley stopped. He glanced quickly toward Kat, then frowned at his brother. You already /know/?
Matt shook his head, leaving his nest with Nola and moving to the very edge of the couch. He leaned his elbows on his knees. I've been waiting for you to come to me about it.
Riley looked baffled. How did you find out?
Matt laughed. Bro, half the women down at the bank used to He straightened up. Be my friend.
Riley narrowed his eyes. You're not angry?
Ha! Matt slapped his palms on his knees. I'm pissed as hell, man, but I figured it was for the clinic, and that you'd find a way out of the mess somehow. I have total faith in you.
Riley narrowed his eyes and Kat watched his brain working. You know how much money we're talking, right?
Sure. One and a half million.
Jesus-Snowboarding-Christ, Nola whispered. The room went silent.
How many people will be here for dinner tomorrow, Miss Turner?
Kat thought Rachel had done a nice job of changing the subject. She was a strikingly polite young woman.
Fourteen in all. And just so everyone knows, I've agreed to let Joanna Loveless come over and take a few pictures for the local paper, kind of a back-in-town feature story she's doing.
That sounds nice, Rachel said, smiling.
We're very glad you could come up and join us, Riley said.
Rachel's face became animated. Oh, wow, me, too. It almost didn't happen. Then her eyes went big and she looked to Aidan as if to acknowledge that she'd made a mistake.
Aidan cleared his throat. Yeah. Her parents aren't all that excited about Rachel dating me. I'm not Indian, obviously, and it's kind of a sore spot with them.
Kat nodded. I see.
But they like him, Rachel added quickly, looking at both Riley and Kat.
They're, well… She glanced at Aidan for his blessing.
Obviously, we tell it like it is around here, Rach. Go for it.
She laughed uncomfortably and looked down at her mug of apple cider.
Well, it's just that my parents are very old-fashioned, from a small city in northern India, and they have their hearts set on me finding a nice boy from my culture.
What's wrong with American men? Matt asked.
It's just that they'd rather I date someone with a similar background.
They think Americans are, well… She swallowed hard. They think Americans are undisciplined and lack a moral foundation.
The room went quiet again, the only sound the crackling of the fire.
Rachel was visibly embarrassed. I am very sorry. Like I said, they're old-fashioned, and they embarrass me sometimes.
Matt cleared his throat and tapped his service revolver under his waistband. Well, you can reassure your folks that I'm always packin' my moral foundation right here.
He's just joking, Aidan reassured her, then planted a tender kiss on her forehead, right in front of everyone. Kat was touched by the sweetness of it.
I'll heat some more apple cider, Kat said. Be right back. Within moments she heard a man's footsteps in the dining room, and she figured it was Riley. She turned to greet him and encountered Aidan.
His eyes were filled with concern. Hey, Mom. You OK?
Oh! Sure. I'm great.
He stepped close to her, a smile playing at his lips. This is a really nice house, Mom. And Rachel's totally in love with it.
Kat knew that was his way of breaking the ice. I hope you two spend a lot of weekends out here.
Yeah. We could do that.
I know your father would like that, too.
After a second's pause, Aidan burst out laughing. Do you have any idea how weird that sounds coming from you? It's like a line from /Leave It to Beaver/ or something. He shook his head in amazement. I never would have pictured this in my wildest dreams.
I love you, Aidan.
Ah, Mom. He put his arms around her, and it had been such a long time since she'd felt her son against her that it was a shock to her system.
She tried not to cry. She wasn't successful.
Aidan rubbed her back as he talked to her. I'm sorry for all that trash talk that day at the G and A, Mom. I said some horrible things and I apologize. You just totally blew me away is all.
I know. Kat didn't loosen her grip on him. And I am profoundly sorry for keeping this world a secret from you.
I know you were only doing what you thought was right.
Kat patted her son on the back and stepped away, leaving her hands on his strong shoulders. But you were right about a lot of things, Aidan, especially that I was protecting myself, not you. It's embarrassing to admit that I couldn't handle the idea of coming back here, not until Phyllis died and left me her money.
A security blanket, Aidan offered. A sense of power.
Yeah. I guess. Kat looked at her son's faceso much a man but still a trace of boy. And now you need to know something else. Kat craned her neck out the pocket door and looked through the dining room to the living room. She wanted to make sure she had a few moments alone with him.
Aidan looked terrified.
It's about my father, she said, which seemed to reassure him. Since I've been back and had a chance to talk to your grandfather, I'm positive I made the right decision to leave here. He is a very unstable man, Aidanan alcoholic who beat my mother and treated me like I was nothing but an annoying neighbor kid. He was emotionally abusive to me, and I always believed that sooner or later I'd get the physical part, too.
Aidan's face fell. I had no idea.
I know you didn't, sweetie, but I'm telling you now. There will be no more secrets between us, all right?
A smile curled his lips. That would be great.
So what I'm saying is that keeping you as far away as possible from Virgil Cavanaugh was the smartest thing I ever did. Turns out I did something right.
You've done lots of things right, Mom. Aidan inclined his head toward the voices coming from the living room. Getting back together with Dad is right up there, too.
Kat felt her face blossom with happiness. You think?
Oh yeah. He's… Aidan stopped, clearly overwhelmed with emotion. I couldn't have dreamed up a better dad. Or a better mom. And now I look forward to having both of you in my life at the same time. I'm finally going to know what having a whole family feels like.
Kat burst into tears and grabbed her boy, never wanting to let go.
Everybody OK in here? Riley hung back in the dining room, not quite entering the kitchen, not sure that he was welcome.
Kat separated from Aidan and wiped her eyes. I just had a mother moment, she said, grabbing a piece of paper towel from the dispenser and blowing her nose. It's kind of surreal having Aidan here.
Riley nodded.
I'd like to try something, Aidan said. You guys up for it?
Riley and Kat looked at each other, and then at their son.
Sure, Kat said.
Come here, Dad, Aidan said, holding out his left arm. Riley stepped into his son's embrace. Come here, Mom, he said, holding out his right. Kat pressed up against him, then instinctively brought her arm around and grabbed on to Riley. The three of them stayed in a huddle like that for several long moments, their heads touching in the center, a feat that required both men to bend way down to meet Kat.
Eventually, Aidan pulled away. In-friggin'-credible, he said, shaking his head. I will never forget this night as long as I live.