Page 83 of The Summer We Started Over

“But how?” Barrett demanded. “Why?”

Eddie moved her chair closer to Dove’s. “Tell us.”

Dove closed her eyes. She seemed infinitely weary. “It was hell when my father went to jail. I was an outcast, and Curt took care of me. That was my first introduction to the bliss of being drunk. I drank until I blacked out. Slept, woke up, drank some more. Stearns saved me. He helped me get sober. Herescuedme. But when Stearns died…when Stearns died, I lost everything. I had always loved him, and of course I had always loved you two, but Stearns, Stearns waseverythingto me.” Dove leaned toward the sisters. “I promise you, when I got pregnant with Bobby, I wasn’t drinking. I hadn’t had a drink formonths. And I didn’t drink during my pregnancy. I loved Stearns so much, and we were going to have a child and a home and a family. I would never have endangered that. And Bobby was born. We were so happy. But the motorcycle accident…” Her breath hitching, Dove went quiet. After a moment, she asked, “Could I have a tissue?”

Barrett jumped up, got the box, and set it before Dove. “Go on.”

Dove wiped her face. “I was lost. Confused. I didn’t want to return to Williamstown, where my father was sent to jail and my mother abandoned me. I called my uncle in Denver. My father’s brother. I told him that Stearns had died, and I had a baby. They sent me a plane ticket. My aunt Ruth and uncle Howard met me at the airport. They gave me a room in their house. They took care of me and Bobby. They knew about my father, about my mother taking off to Florida with another man. They didn’t know I’d had a few months of drinking myself silly. After Stearns died…even in Colorado, even with my beautiful little baby…I didn’t want to live. I was like a ninety-seven-year-old shut-in. I never left the house. I took care of Bobby and slept.”

Eddie stood up, filled a large glass full of water, and handed it to Dove.

“Thanks.” Dove stared down into the glass. “They suggested I get a job. They thought it would do me good to get out of the house. Aunt Ruth was crazy about Bobby. So, I took a job at a grocery store, putting stock on the shelves. And I met some people, and had some friends to hang out with after work…and I started drinking again.”

Dove paused to drink water. Suddenly, she smiled. “In the mountains in the winter, there are so many stars in the sky, you can’t believe it.”

Barrett took a moment to go into the hall to check on Bobby.

“He’s still watching TV,” she reported.

“He’s an angel, isn’t he?” Dove’s smile was anguished. “Here’s the deal. I spent the past two years drinking heavily. Passing out. Once I start drinking I can’t stop. Add the months I spent out of control withCurt and his gang when my father went to jail. Add the nights when we were kids and I helped myself to my parents’ gin so I could fall asleep.”

“We didn’t know you were drinking!” Barrett cried.

“It was only late at night. And it was a lot…It’s why I have end-stage liver cirrhosis. Also, hep B.”

“You can have a liver transplant,” Eddie suggested.

Dove shook her head. “I’m not a good candidate. Believe me, I’ve seen doctors. I’ve had tests.” She made a circle with her hand over her torso. “You don’t want to know what’s going on in here.”

“Dove, this is horrible.” Barrett put her hand on Dove’s. “I’m sure doctors here can do something. We’ll take you to Boston. There are first-class hospitals in Boston.”

Dove gripped Barrett’s hand. “Please, listen to me. I’m not here because I want to be cured. Ican’tbe cured. Look at the color of my skin. Look at how thin I am. It took all my energy to get here. I came because of Bobby. I want you to have Bobby.”

“Dove? Is that really you?”

William stood in the doorway. He’d gone white with shock.

Dove smiled. “Hi, Mr. Grant. Yes, it’s really me. Or what’s left of me.” She laughed and stood up and trembled all over and collapsed back into her chair.

“Dad,” Eddie said. “Bobby’s in the family room, watchingPete the Cat.Maybe don’t go meet him right now. Dove has some…news for us all.”

William joined them at the table. He listened to Dove tell him how sick she was and how it had happened. And what she was asking of Eddie and Barrett.

“Good God, Dove,” William said. “I’m so sorry. Okay, so do we have a timeline?”

“Dad!” Barrett was shocked.

William ignored Barrett and spoke to Dove. “How can we help you? How can we make you comfortable? What have you told Bobby?”

“Thank you, Mr. Grant.” Dove smiled at the sisters. “He’s asking the right questions. The necessary questions. No, I don’t have an exact timeline, but I probably won’t last through the year. I’d like to be connected with a doctor here. The last few days…whenever they come, won’t be easy. I was hoping I could stay with you for a few weeks, get Bobby feeling safe with you, help Bobby realize he’s part of your family. He’s very young. After a few years, he won’t remember me.”

“Mommy?”

They all jumped a little when they heard Bobby’s voice. He was standing in the doorway, looking around.

“Mommy,Pete the Catis over.”

Dove held out her arms. “Bobby, come here. I want you to meet your grandfather.”

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