“Of course not. Why should he?”

Judy ignored her sister’s question. “Has he acted any different since you returned?”

“For Pete’s sake, our daughter has just lost her husband. Of course he’s a little uptight.”

“I mean, toward you.”

Mary shrugged uneasily, the tears starting to show again. “He treats me like I’m not there. Since David’s death, he can’t even look at me. But he’s devastated. James was very fond of David.”

“David was a wonderful man.”

Mary paused. “He loved Laura very much.”

“I know.”

“What should I do, Judy?”

“Do?” Judy repeated, remembering the last time her sister had asked her for advice. It had led to tragedy and even death. “This time, don’t do anything.”

LAURA poured Stan another cup of coffee. “So when are you heading back to Michigan?”

“Anxious to get rid of me?”

“Of course not. I didn’t mean—”

Stan waved her off. “I’m only kidding, Laura.”

“I’m glad you’ve been here. Your visits have been very important to me.”

“That’s nice to hear,” he replied as he sipped the coffee, “because I’m seriously considering staying in Boston.”

“Really?”

Stan shrugged. “There’s not much for me in Michigan. I closed a deal there before I left, so I have nothing that ties me there anymore. Plus I’m trying to line something up in Boston. You see, there’s a deal I’m hoping to raise some money for. A mall with a basketball theme or something. But more important than that ...” He stopped and looked up. “I hope I’m not being too forward.”

“Not at all.”

“Well, to be honest, the most important reason I want to stay is that I have no family in Michigan. And the way you and your family have treated me . . . I don’t know. Maybe I shouldn’t say this, but I feel like I’m part of a family. I feel good when I’m with all of you.”

“You are family, Stan.”

He took her hand. “Thank you. That’s very nice of you to say. It’s been so long since I had anybody close to me.”

She smiled sadly. “I still can’t believe David’s really gone. I keep expecting Earl and him to burst through that door in their sweat clothes, David spinning a ball on his finger and Earl doing all he can to distract him.”

Stan moved closer to her, his arm snaking around her shoulders. “You’ll get over him, Laura.”

The phone rang.

Laura pulled away and stood.

Shit! I had her. Damn that fuckin’ phone.

She picked up the extension in the kitchen. From his seat in the den, Stan could only hear murmurs. Three minutes later, she hung up.

“That was Gloria. She’s coming to pick me up in about an hour.”

“She’s a wonderful woman.”

“Yes, she is.”

“I like her very much.”

“I’m glad.”

“She seems to be a very interesting person. Had a lot of interesting experiences.”

“And paid for them.”

“Paid?”

“Nothing, Stan. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“She told me she’s seeing a psychiatrist. She also told me that you saved her life.”

“That’s being a bit dramatic.”

“She’s really grateful to you.”

“There’s no need for her to be.”

“Was it very bad when she first came back? Oh, God, I’m sorry. That’s none of my business. Please just forget I asked. I guess all this family talk clouded my judgment.”

Laura sat back on the couch. “No, Stan, like I said, you’re family. From the sound of it, Gloria doesn’t want to hide anything from you.” She nervously played with her empty coffee cup. “It was very tough at first. She needed constant care. We hired full-time help.”

“Was she institutionalized?”

Laura nodded. Despite her earlier words, she felt a pang of discomfort talking about her sister like this. “More of a dry-out farm.”

Stan understood from the tone of her voice that he had better quit. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pried.”

“No. It’s okay.”

Thick silence hung over them.

“Well, I better be going.”

“Thank you for visiting, Stan.”

They rose and walked to the door. She opened it. Stan bent down and lightly kissed her good-bye. When he turned around to leave, the doorway was blocked.

Stan smiled brightly. “Hello, T.C.”

T.C’s eyes blazed with anger. “What the fuck—?” He spotted Laura and closed his mouth.

Stan patted T.C.’s bulging stomach. “See you around, big guy.”

T.C. closed his eyes, wrestling with his temper to keep it in check. Stan made a hasty exit.

“Are you all right, T.C.?” Laura asked.

“Fine.”

“Come on in.”

“Laura, has he been around a lot?”

“Stan? He’s been very supportive.”

“Uh-huh.”

“What’s the matter, T.C.?”

“Just be careful with Stan Baskin.”

“I can take care of myself. Besides, he’s been very kind.”

“Right. He’s a real sweetheart.”

“Stan already told me you two don’t get along.”

“It’s nice to hear he’s not a complete liar.”

“What happened between them, T.C.? What could separate brothers like that?”

“Not my story to tell.”

“Why not?”

“It’s just not my place to talk about it, that’s all.”

“Oh, I see,” Laura said with obvious annoyance. “It’s just your place to smear a man and then not offer a shred of evidence to back up your accusations.”

“I didn’t realize I was testifying in front of a judge.”

“Listen, T.C., I don’t need that shit. Stan Baskin happens to be family—”

“He happens to be scum.”

“I don’t want to hear that.”

“Obviously.”

“And I don’t believe it. When was the last time you spoke to the man?”

“At your house after the funeral.”

“You know what I mean. Before that.”

“Laura . . .”