'There you go. That's what I want to hear. Unload with both barrels.'
'Did you come here to fight,Neely ?'
'No. I came to say I'm sorry.'
'You've said it. Now why don't you leave?'
He bit his tongue and let a few seconds pass. Then, 'Why do you want me to leave?'
'Because I don't like you,Neely .'
'You shouldn't.'
'It took ten years to get you out of my system. When I fell in love with Jack, I was finally able to forget you. I hoped I would never see you again.'
'Do you ever think about me?'
'No.'
'Never?'
'Maybe once a year, in a weak moment.Jack was watching a football game once. The quarterback got hurt and left the game on a stretcher. I thought of you then.'
'A pleasant thought.'
'Not unpleasant.'
'I think of you all the time.'
A slight crack in the ice as she exhaled and seemed frustrated.She leaned forward and rested both elbows on her knees. The door opened behind them and Mrs. Lane shuffled out with a tray. 'Thought you might like some hot chocolate,' she said, placing it on the edge of the porch, in the large space between them.
'Thank you,' Neely said.
'It'll keep the chill off,' Mrs. Lane said. 'Cameron, you should put on some socks.'
'Yes, Mother.'
The door closed and they ignored the hot chocolate. Neely wanted a long conversation, one that covered several issues and many years. She once had feelings, strong ones, and he wanted to confirm them. He wanted tears and anger, maybe a good fight or two. And he wanted to be truly forgiven.
'You were actually watching a football game?' he said.
'No. Jack was watching the game. I happened to be passing through.'
'He's a football fan?'
'Not really. If he'd been a fan, I wouldn't have married him.'
'So you still hate football?'
'You could say that. I went to Hollins, an all-girls school, so I could avoid football. My oldest daughter has started school at a small private academy—no football.'
'Then why are you here now?'
'Miss Lila. She taught me piano for twelve years.'
'Right.'
'I'm certainly not here to honor Eddie Rake.' Cameron picked up a cup and cradled it with both hands. Neely did the same.
