Page 82 of The Summer We Started Over

“Mommy?” Bobby had left his coloring and come close to his mother. He looked worried. Even frightened.

“Oh,wow!” Barrett fell to her knees to face the boy. “You’re Bobby. You’re really Bobby.”

Bobby edged closer to his mother. He reached out and grabbed a reassuring handful of her jeans.

“Calm down, Barrett,” Eddie said softly. “You’re freaking us out a little bit.”

“Sorry.” Barrett took some deep breaths. “Bobby, these are happy tears. Because I’msohappy to meet you. I’m so happy to see your mommy.” She stood up. “Dove. Dove, sorry to manhandle you. I’m just so thrilled to see you after all this time.”

“I’m happy to see you both, too.” She cradled her tumbler of lemonade to her chest and clutched the wall with her free hand. “I have to sit down.”

Eddie exchanged a worried glance with Barrett.

“Yes, of course. You must be tired after your trip. Let’s go in the house. Do you let Bobby watch TV?”

“Pete the Cat,” Dove said. “Bobby loves the book.”

Eddie walked over to Dove and put a bracing arm around her, helping her stand. With a swift nod to Barrett, she signaled for Barrett to take care of Bobby.

“Bobby,” Barrett said. “Would you like to come into the house and watchPete the Cat?”

“YES!” Bobby shouted. He caught his mother’s reaction and spoke more softly. “Yes, pwease.”

“Go on with Auntie Barrett,” Dove said. “I’m coming, too. You know sometimes I walk more slowly than you do.”

Bobby took Barrett’s hand. They crossed the yard, climbed the steps, and stood on the porch. Bobby turned back to see his mother.

Barrett stifled a gasp. Dove was walking slowly, and it looked as if she wouldn’t be able to walk without Eddie’s help.

“It’s okay,” Bobby said. “Sometimes Mommy gets tired.”

Barrett tried to sound calm. “Let’s wait and open the door for your mommy and Eddie.”

Barrett and Dove struggled up the steps to the porch and through the open door into the kitchen. Barrett followed, holding Bobby’s hand.

Dove collapsed into a chair. “Thanks, Eddie. Bobby, Auntie Barrett will take you to watchPete the Cat.”

Barrett took the child to the family room and settled him in front of the television. She streamedPete the Catand handed the remote to Bobby.

“You can adjust the volume, but don’t touch any other buttons. Aunt Eddie and I get confused with those buttons.”

Bobby giggled. “So does Mommy.”

Barrett returned to the kitchen. Eddie sat next to Dove, holding her hand.

“Bobby’s happy with Pete,” Barrett announced, trying to sound upbeat.

Still holding their friend’s hand, Eddie said softly, “So, Dove, you look terrible. What’s going on with you?”

Dove lifted her head. “I’m dying,” she said.

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For a moment, the sisters sat in stunned silence.

Eddie asked softly, “Dove, why would you say something like that?”

Dove smiled weakly. “Because it’s true. I have end-stage cirrhosis of the liver.”

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