Free Dark Homecoming by William Patterson Page A

gets back, I don’t feel at home here.”
    â€œLook, Liz, you married a very successful man. You knew right from the start that he was going to be away from home a great deal. You’ve got to find your own rhythm. You’ve got to learn to do your own thing.”
    Liz nodded. “David suggested I open a dance studio.”
    â€œBrilliant idea! You’d be terrific!”
    â€œI don’t know. I’ll think about it.”
    Nicki drew closer to her camera, so that her face nearly filled Liz’s computer screen. It made Liz miss her friend a great deal.
    â€œSo, the sixty-four-thousand-dollar question.”
    â€œWhat’s that?”
    â€œHave you talked to your mother since you got back from your honeymoon?”
    Liz sighed. “I’ve tried. I’ve called several times. But she’s either been asleep or out. At least, that’s what Deanne tells me. I think she might be fibbing, however.”
    â€œYou think your mother is avoiding talking to you?”
    â€œI’m beginning to think so. She’s still upset that I got married without her there. And David and I never got the chance to see her when we got back from our honeymoon. We had to get down here. We’d planned on going up to see Mom in a week or so, but now, with David being called away, I don’t know if those plans will change.”
    â€œFly her down to see you. I’m sure David can afford a private jet to get her.”
    Liz couldn’t help but laugh. “Mom, here? Oh, no. I don’t think so.”
    â€œI’m sure your siblings would come with her.”
    â€œEven worse! George would be out smoking weed on the back patio and Deanne would be sprawled out on the couch watching the Home Shopping Network all day!”
    Nicki smiled. “They’re your people, Liz.”
    Liz smiled herself. Yes, they were. And suddenly she missed them, too. A wave of guilt surged through her.
    I abandoned them. I walked out on them, just as Daddy did.
    â€œOkay, and now for the second sixty-four-thousand-dollar question,” Nicki said.
    â€œWhat else could there be?” Liz asked.
    â€œAny mementos of the dead wife lying around?”
    The question stopped Liz cold. If thoughts of her family disturbed her, the mention of Dominique chilled her to the bone.
    â€œOnly like everywhere I look,” Liz responded.
    â€œNo way!”
    â€œThere’s a huge portrait of her in the stairwell that I have to pass every time I go up or down. That’s part of the reason I’ve been staying in my room.” Liz paused. “She was very beautiful.”
    â€œTell David to take that thing down!”
    Liz shook her head. “I can’t. Not yet anyway. Eventually, when he gets back.”
    â€œUm, hello, when did the body snatchers make off with my tough friend Liz? Cuz I don’t recognize this milquetoast.” Nicki shook a finger at her. “It’s your house now, sweetheart. Not hers.”
    Liz laughed lightly. “I just don’t feel that way yet. Her fragrance—gardenias—is everywhere. Sometimes I think the servants still spray it everywhere so they can remember her.” She paused. “They were apparently very devoted to her.”
    â€œI can’t believe that David left that portrait hanging! I’d confront him if I were you, Liz.”
    â€œI will,” she said, though she knew she didn’t sound convincing. “When he gets back I’ll ask him to move it somewhere else.”
    â€œReally, Liz, honey, you’re going to have to stand up for yourself.”
    â€œI know . . .”
    â€œI’m not sure you do. You’re hiding out in your room!”
    â€œYou’re right, and so I should get going,” Liz said, deciding to end the conversation. It was becoming increasingly uncomfortable. “I’ll go downstairs and try to be social. Most of the help will be going home soon for the night anyway,