Part 22

Carly took Donna with her to the park, with the children. Ginny was asleep in the stroller. Donna played with Michael a little bit, pushing him on the swing for a while. He played in the sandbox later, and Donna went to sit with Carly.

"How does he like having a little sister?"

"He loves her. He's always asking about her if she's not around – is she taking a nap or is she upstairs with Zander. He shows her things every once in awhile. He showed her his matchbox car he had been playing with. She sort of looked at it. He seemed happy with that. He said she could play with it when she is old enough."

Donna smiled. "Sweet," she said.

"Your other son is going to visit, I've heard?"

"Yes."

"How did he get along with Zander?"

"Well. Very well."

"Does he care about Zander much, do you think? I'm worried, because Zander never mentioned him to me, and I've known him awhile."

"Yes, he does. You don't need to worry about him resembling their father," Donna said. "Peter is a kind man."

Carly sighed. "I'm glad. I don't think I can take another relative like Zander's father. I don't understand why Cameron doesn't like Zander, I mean, can you possibly not like your own child? And even if you didn't like them, wouldn't you love them, if that makes any sense?"

"He's a strange man," Donna said. "I guess I always knew that."

"Was he nicer when you married him?"

"A little. He knows how to be charming."

"But you sound like you don't think he really is. Or that he really has any good feelings."

"He loves Peter."

"I can't believe it. If he really loves Peter, why doesn't he love Zander?"

"I'm not sure he doesn't love Zander, in his way."

"His way is not to my taste," Carly said.

Donna smiled. "Don't let him get you down, dear," she said, kindly.

"Talking to psychiatrists helped me a little bit," Donna was saying to Alexander. "It might help you. Having something like the hunting accident happen – well, that could set anybody into a tailspin."

"I never look at it that way," Zander said.

"How do you look at it, dear?"

"I made a big mistake, Pete paid for it."

"It was an accident, though. Chance. Pete could have accidentally shot you or you could have accidentally shot your father or a stranger."

Brenda put her hand over her mouth.

"What?" Zander said, his eyes lighting up at her. "What are you laughing at?"

"It's too smart-ass, unkind," she said. "I have these thoughts. Just a sick joke."

By now, he was smiling broadly, "tell me."

"I was just thinking that if I had ever shot Cam – well, that might not be an accident."

"I know Brenda is joking about shooting," Donna said, with a smile, "but she did hit him. She walloped him good."

"She did?" His eyes lit up a little more.

"Yeah," Brenda said sheepishly. "I'm expecting him to file charges. It'll be worth it, though."

"He must have looked so shocked anybody would do that to him."

"He did look rather put out," Donna said.

"Mom, he always looks put out."

"Surrounded by all us stupid plebeians," Brenda added.

"One of the things I love about her is her sophisticated vocabulary," Zander told Donna, putting an arm around Brenda.

"She is very intelligent," Donna said. "And gutsy, too."

Brenda was in her suite at the PC Hotel, stretched out on the couch, studying from an Economics textbook. "Deflation occurs when prices decline over time. Inflation occurs when money becomes relatively less valuable than goods. Deflation, therefore, occurs when money becomes relatively more valuable than goods."

She put the book down. "Huh?" she said, to the ether.

Her cell phone rang.

She picked it up and looked at it. It was her sister.

"Hi, Julia," she answered.

"How's it going, Brenda?"

"Oh, fine."

"Are you still in school?"

"Yes, Julia, amazing, isn't it?"

"I didn't mean anything by it."

"OK. I'm doing the summer session."

"I think it's a great idea you decided to do that."

"It's not just an idea now."

"Of course not."

"Julia, I was thinking of coming over to see you later in the summer. And Zander wants to meet you."

"I wouldn't mind meeting him. I still think he's too young for you, though."

"You oughta try it!"

"Try what?"

"A younger man, Julia! It would liven you up."

"I leave the liveliness to you. That's your department."

Brenda laughed. "OK."

"I don't know whether to think this Zander is a good influence or a bad one. He's so much younger than you, yet it's he who has the baby. Sounds irresponsible. On the other hand, he is going to school and he somehow has you going to school."

"Julia! Really! Since he's younger, could you at least give me the credit for being a bad influence on him?"

"All right," Julia laughed. "I'll bet you are a very bad influence."

"How are you doing? Still seeing Simon?"

"On and off. I found out Jax is in London."

"Oh."

"I'll tell you if I see him."

"It's of no interest to me."

"Well, maybe you could still be friends. Meet new friends of his, you know, his circle would still be perfect for you."

"I'm underwhelmed."

Julia laughed. "A late rebel phase, eh, Brenda? All right. Have your fling."

"I love Zander and it's not a fling. And he's done more for my education than anybody."

"Well, I'll say that for him."

"When you meet him will you please keep these comments to yourself? I know you will find it very difficult to keep all your wisdom to yourself, Julia, but -"

"I'll try!"

"No mentioning of Jax and his stupid circle, do you hear?"

"Not a word."

"OK. Well, I gotta study this Economics. It is not easy stuff! Love 'ya."

"I love you too Brenda. Talk to you soon."