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“You’ve been quiet tonight,” Alex said. “Is everything okay?”
She’d made tuna casserole for dinner and Alex was helping her
with the dishes. The kids were in the living room, both of them
playing handheld computer games; she could hear the beeps and
buzzes over the sound of the faucet.
“A friend of mine passed away,” she said. She handed him a plate
to dry. “I knew it was coming, but it’s still sad.”
“It’s always sad,” he agreed. “I’m sorry.” He knew enough not to
ask for further details. Instead, he waited on the chance she
wanted to say more, but she washed another glass and changed
the subject.
“How long do you think the storm is going to last?” she asked.
“Not long. Why?”
“I was just wondering whether the carnival tomorrow is going to
be canceled. Or whether the flight is going to be canceled.”
Alex glanced out the window. “It should be fine. It’s already
blowing through. I’m pretty sure we’re on the tail end of it now.”
“Just in time,” Katie remarked.
“Of course. The elements wouldn’t dare mess with the well-laid
plans of the carnival committee. Or Joyce for that matter.”
She smiled. “How long is it going to take you to pick up Joyce’s
daughter?”
“Probably four or five hours. Raleigh’s not exactly convenient to
this place.”
“Why didn’t she fly into Wilmington? Or just rent a car?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t ask, but if I had to guess I’d say she wanted
to save some money.”