Anna shivered.
"You're cold." Hobb reached down and pulled the bed sheet up to her shoulders.
"Thank you. Not really cold."
"I can close the window."
"No, no I like hearing the waves."
"Me too."
"Are you going to move out here full time?"
"Yes. No one else in the family is interested. Except to visit now and then."
"Not even George?"
"No. He likes that grandfather thing. Besides he never really liked it here. Too damn hot. He'll come in February."
"And Christi?"
"After 35 years in New York? Not a chance."
Anna turned on her side and kissed him on his cheek. "I guess you remember summer camp?"
"Just like it was--like it was 47 years ago."
"Forty-seven?"
"Yes, 47."
"Are we that old?"
Hobb laughed. "You're not."
She laughed too. "Oh, I am. I look in the mirror some mornings and think where did that girl get off to."
"You're still that girl. You've been that girl since you were 16."
Anna shivered again.
"I can get a blanket."
"Just hold me."
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.
"Hobb, why did you choose Tulane?"
He rested his forehead against hers for a moment. "To get away. To not be here, to be surrounded by the family. To always be reminded-- My grandmother fussed. A Rutledge goes to Vanderbilt. A Rutledge goes to Duke. A Rutledge does not gallivant off to a place like that."
"But she forgave you."
"Yes. But she was always going to forgive me because I came home."
"Did you think I would come back?"
"Ever?"
"No, the reunion I mean."
"I--"
"Never mind."
"You're here. We're here now."
"Happy?"
"Happy is a big word."
"Not happy?"
"Surprised. Curious. Content."
"Curious?"
"Curious about tomorrow. Curious about Sunday. Curious about Monday."
Anna's eyes widened. "Monday?"
"Yes. What it will feel like when you are gone."
"Oh." Anna kissed him. "Hobb--"
He let his hand graze her cheek.
"Oh look, the moon."
Hobb rolled over to watch the fat moon rise over the ocean. The Pink Moon. Anna rested her chin on his arm.
She sighed. "It's so beautiful."
"Yes. Yes it's all very beautiful."
Lyman 2025
