Found Money - James Grippando [20]
“Can I get you something?” asked Ryan. “Lots of food left. You know how funerals are in the Duffy family.”
“No, thanks.”
Ryan wasn’t surprised. Liz never ate, it seemed, never needed sustenance. Eight years of marriage and he never did find that battery she must have run on.
Liz said, “Can we talk for a minute?”
She seemed to be shying from the noise in the kitchen. Ryan quickly surmised her visit wasn’t family-oriented. She wanted some privacy. “Not to push you out the door,” he said, “but how about the porch?”
She nodded, then led the way to the big covered wood porch that extended across the front of the house, overlooking the lawn. Ryan closed the door behind them. He started toward the wicker love seat near the picture window, but they both stopped short, thinking twice. Too many memories there, watching sunsets side by side. Liz took the old rocker. Ryan sat on the porch railing beside a potted cactus plant.
“I’m sorry I missed the funeral,” she said, eyes lowered. “After all these years, I did love Frank. I wanted to go. I just thought it would have been awkward for the family. You, especially.”
“I understand.”
“I hope you do. Because I don’t want us to end up enemies.”
“It’s okay. I promise.”
She looked away, then turned her gaze toward Ryan. “I don’t think Frank would want us to be enemies.”
“Dad would want us to stay married, Liz. But this isn’t about what Dad wants.” Ryan paused. His words had sounded harsher than intended. “I do appreciate the way you helped me keep the lid on the divorce around Dad. There really wasn’t any need for him to know.”
She sniffed back a tear, nearly scoffed. It was a hopeless charade Ryan had kept up for the sake of his dying father, never telling him that the marriage was over. “He must have known. For God’s sake, we lived in Piedmont Springs. Everybody knew.”
“He never said anything to me. To suggest he knew, I mean.”
“We talked a couple of weeks ago. On the phone.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“He didn’t really come right out and say the word ‘divorce.’ But I think he sensed you and I were having money problems.”
“What did he say?”
“Just before he hung up, he said something like, hang in there. Things will get better for you and Ryan. Money will come soon.”
“Did you ask him what he meant by that?”
“I didn’t push it. At the time, I didn’t see the point.” She paused, as if considering what she was about to say. “But I’ve been thinking about what he said. A lot. I guess that’s why I drove all the way down here to see you.”
Ryan bristled. “What have you been thinking?”
“I thought, if only that were true. If we could solve our money problems, maybe we wouldn’t be where we are now.” She looked up, catching Ryan’s eye.
He blinked. She looked sincere, sounded like she meant what she was saying. Yet he somehow didn’t trust her. Anger swelled inside him. It was the damn money. Either she was after it, and it was making her deceitful. Or she knew nothing about it, and it was making him paranoid. The damn money.
“Liz, I’d be lying if I said I’d lost all feelings for you. But I just buried my father today. I can’t get on this emotional roller coaster.”
“I’m sorry,” she said, rising. “I didn’t come here to mess with your head.”
“I didn’t mean to send you away.”
She smiled sadly. “It’s okay. I really should go. Give my love to Jeanette.” She kissed him lightly on the cheek—just a peck, next to nothing.
“Thanks for coming by. It means a lot.”
“You’re welcome.” She headed down the steps and crossed the lawn. With a half-turn she waved goodbye, then got in her car and drove away.
He watched as her taillights faded into the darkness.