Free The Girl Next Door by Patricia MacDonald

face softened. “He’s doing fine. Healthy as a horse.
     Knock on wood,” she said, tapping on the arm of her chair. “Graduates from college
     this year. He’s going to go to medical school,” Rose said proudly.
    “That’s wonderful,” said Duncan. “If there’s any way I can help, any advice about
     managing the work …”
    Rose’s smile disappeared. “That won’t be necessary,” she said coolly. “Oh, they’re
     here,” she said, relief in her voice as she looked through the archway into the dining
     room.
    George Connelly came in, trailed by Jimmy. Their former postman was graying, but still
     trim, and wore the same jovial expression that Nina remembered from childhood when
     he would greet her by name at the front door as she ran to get the mail.
    Duncan stood up as George entered the room and extended his hand. “George.”
    George brushed Duncan’s hand away and gave him a quick embrace, clapping him heartily
     on the back. “Good to see you, Doc,” he said.
    Duncan looked at Jimmy, who fidgeted uncomfortably under his gaze, and then back at
     George. “I’m glad I can thank you in person for all you’ve done for my boy.”
    George shook his head. “It’s been our pleasure, Doc. We love this boy like our own
     son.” He gazed at Jimmy, who smiled shyly at the ground.
    Duncan nodded. “Of course, he’s imposed on your hospitality for rather a long time.
     I never meant for him to become a permanent fixture under your roof.”
    “I don’t really think of that as a problem,” Rose said sharply.
    “Jimmy will always have a home here,” George said in a soothing tone. “Rose, that
     dinner smells so good. Can we eat?”
    R OSE served the meal in dutiful silence while Duncan and George talked about fishing.
     George had a skiff he kept on a trailer down by the river. Duncan always claimed that
     he never had time to fish, but even when George was their mailman, he and Duncan would
     have long conversations about what was biting and the relative merits of different
     kinds of bait.
    “We might still get a day or two in before the boat’s got to come out of the water
     for the winter,” said George. “The three of us can go. You, me, and Jimmy.”
    Nina glanced at her brother. He had been silent through much of the meal, and his
     face was contorted with anxiety. He was clearly suffering, as she was, from the tension
     that would descend on the table whenever the conversation flagged.
    Almost as soon as they set down their forks, Nina suggested that they should be getting
     home. They got up from the table and thanked Rose for her dinner. She remained seated,
     insisting politely that it was no trouble. George got up to bid them farewell and
     Jimmy accompanied them to the door. The three of them stood in awkward silence on
     the darkened sunporch.
    “Well, we’d better be going.” Duncan reached out and put his arm awkwardly around
     Jimmy’s shoulders. His voice was husky when he spoke. “I just want you to know that
     I’m proud of you, Jim. I know addiction is a hard battle. I’m proud of the way you
     took your life in hand.”
    “Working in a flooring place,” Jimmy demurred. “It’s not like being a doctor.”
    “Hey, it’s honest work,” said Duncan. “I think it’s great. I think you’re great.”
    Jimmy shook off Duncan’s embrace. “Stop it, Dad. Just stop it.”
    “Jimmy,” said Nina in a warning tone.
    Even in the dim light of the porch, Nina could see Jimmy’s eyes glistening, and there
     was a pained expression on his face. “I can’t handle this.”
    “Handle what?” Duncan asked, perplexed. “All I said was that I was proud of you.”
    “You don’t even know me,” Jimmy cried. Without a word of farewell, he turned and rushed
     back inside the house.

5
    D UNCAN sat silently beside her in the car. Nina glanced at his stony profile and fumed at
     the memory of her brother’s behavior. “I’m so sorry about that scene with Jimmy,”
     she