The smell of coffee floated upstairs as Liza made her way down. Steadying her nerves and sense of embarrassment, she felt the need to explain — about a lot of things. They had broken-up and split couples do not spend nights in each other's homes. Seeing him was hard and it would be bad enough in the office. It was devastating to think a second chance at love was blossoming, only for your hopes to be wrecked. The break-up was so raw that silence had been a mixed blessing. Emails the last six weeks had been strictly about work and even though she wondered what he thought of Yaddo, how the book was going, and the interesting people he was meeting, keeping things strictly business helped. She did not like being tested for her integrity, albeit part of her did not blame him considering the way they started, but she thought trust had been earned and all that behind them now. A chance to explain and maybe work on things was what she hoped for, but today was probably not that day.
She rounded the corner into the kitchen and found him staring into the refrigerator.
"Hey," she said brightly, smiling hesitantly at him.
"Hey," he replied, looking at her with a friendly smile.
"Charles, look, I'm sorry about last night. It's just – I worked late, and I didn't want to catch the train back to Brooklyn, and I didn't think to call a car —."
"— Liza, it's fine. I'm not upset. I'm glad you felt comfortable enough to stay here," assuring her as he closed the fridge door.
His casual acceptance of her being here was unsettling. Anger would have been better. She could have understood anger, but not this — easiness. It was like he found exes here all the time and she immediately pushed that thought aside.
"Would you like coffee? I can make breakfast too, if you're interested. The housekeeper has not been to the store much while I was away, but I think there's enough that's edible," he offered.
"No, just the coffee, please. That would be great," she replied. "I'd still like to explain. I left work late and should not have assumed that I had the right to spend the night here," shaking her head in contrition.
"Liza, please stop apologizing. If I was angry, I'd have kicked you out when I found you in my guest bed. You have a key and I know you've been here a few times when I was away."
"Oh?" Liza's eyebrows raised questioning how he knew.
"The alarm company sends notifications," he reminded her.
"Oh, right, I forgot," she said, remembering.
"Pauline told me you watched the girls. I appreciate you doing that when she needed help and I wasn't available."
He reached into the cabinet pulling out his Princeton insulated travel tumbler and began filling it before handing it to her.
"Charles, I can't take that. That's your favorite," Liza objected.
"It's the best one, so you take it. Besides, my old shirt always looked better on you than me. I'm sure Princeton agrees," he teased, smiling at her and handing over the coffee.
"Ha" she said, accepting the steaming cup and smiling back. "Watching your girls is always a pleasure. You know that. They're great kids. How was Yaddo?" she asked, changing the subject to a safe, less personal topic.
"It's a really great program. I learned a lot. Not only as a writer but as a publisher. I think it'll be helpful going forward. As for the book itself, that all depends on whether you still want to publish," he smiled at her, raising his eyebrows with a touch of self-deprecation.
"I'm sure it's wonderful and I look forward to reading it. I am so glad you finished. You're a very talented writer. I am sure it's a work of art."
"I don't know about that, but I enjoyed the experience." He leaned his tall frame against the countertop. "It gave me a greater appreciation for what authors go through and a deeper awareness for what I've put some Empirical authors through over the years. Thank you for making it happen. It was a beautiful gift," smiling lovingly at her. "You will still edit my book, right?"
"Of course. A promise is a promise. That is, if you want me to. I would love that."
"Liza, you are one of the finest editors I have ever known, but I wouldn't hold you to that promise. Still, it would be an honor if you would look it over and give me your thoughts. I still have a few things to work on, so it'll be a week or two."
"Thank you for the compliment. I look forward to reading it," she smiled and for a second it was like old times. "So, your first day back in town. Any plans?" she asked cheerfully.
"I am spending the day with the girls. They've been studying art history, so we're going to the Edward Hopper exhibit at the Whitney. Afterwards, out for burgers and ice cream not far from the museum."
"That sounds wonderful. I'm sure they're going to love it and seeing you."
"I hope so. I have really missed them. Facetime doesn't make up for being present."
That sounded like her cue to leave.
"I'm going into the office for a bit. I hope you have a great day. Welcome home," she wished him brightly, adding "Let me know when you want to meet."
"I will. Thank you. The same to you," he nodded at her.
Liza picked up the coffee, raised it in acknowledgement, walked to the living room, put on her shoes and coat, grabbed her bag, and made her way downstairs into the sunshine, smiling at the little bit of hope within her.
Thank you for the kind comments. My goal is to post every 2 weeks. I'm way ahead writing the story so should be able to maintain that schedule for now.
