The crowd was thinning out. The servers were able to
circulate with canapés. She accepted a square of pumpernickel with smoked
salmon and cream cheese. Earl was nowhere to be seen. Kate and her brother Bill
were huddled by the buffet table. No Kat. No Bobby either. She went over to
where Catherine Addams stood near the door, thanking people for coming. She
appeared to have her social veneer back in place. Makeup repaired. Demeanor
subdued but calm. It was hard to believe this was the same woman as the one who
had cracked at the funeral. Though this was the Catherine Merideth was familiar
with from garden club meetings.
“Did I tell you
how much I appreciated your flowers?” Catherine said now.
“Yes. I am so
sorry for your loss, Catherine.” Merideth couldn’t prevent herself from
glancing at the nearby flower arrangements of hothouse lilies and roses, so
different from the simple bouquet she had sent.
“I put yours in
our—my—room,” said Catherine. “They were so fresh and simple and—not
depressing.”
“What Kate had
to say at the memorial service was so interesting. And what you said was very
moving.”
“It was true,
too. I know people on this island don’t like me. They loved Mac, they accepted
his children, but they never liked me.”
“Islanders are
funny,” said Merideth. Perhaps they found you aloof or intimidating.”
Catherine turned
and looked her in the eye. “Listen. When I met Mac I was just Catie Ann
Slaughter from Toad Suck Ferry, Arkansas. Well not Toad Suck Ferry, but close
enough. I couldn’t measure up to his second wife in looks or his first wife in
class, as Kate is only too happy to remind me, but I tried to be worthy of
being his wife. To entertain, to move in the right circles, to keep the country
out of the girl.”
“Maybe that was
the problem. Islanders read you as hoity toity, when really you were just afraid
of making a misstep. Maybe now, without worrying about what you think your
husband wants, you can be more comfortable.”
She looked
angry, then sighed. “I don’t even know who I am any more.”
“It’s good that
your brother is here.”
“Jerry. I guess.
He certainly wasn’t here that first night when I really needed him. I couldn’t
even get him on the phone.” She broke off as a couple approached her. “Thank
you so much. Lovely of you. Oh yes. Soon.”
Merideth moved
off to let her get back to it.
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