Если я останусь
4:57 A.M.
OnNewYear’sDay,IcamehometofindtherestofmyfamilygatheredinthekitchenwithHenry,Willow,andthebaby.Dadwasmakingbreakfast:smoked-salmonhash,hisspecialty.
Henryshookhisheadwhenhesawme."Lookatthekidstoday.Seemslikejustyesterdaythatstumblinghomeateighto’clockfeltearly.NowI’dkilljusttobeabletosleepuntileight."
"Wedidn’tevenmakeittillmidnight,"Willowadmitted,bouncingthebabyonherlap."Goodthing,becausethislittleladydecidedtostarthernewyearatfive-thirty."
"Istayeduptillmidnight!"Teddyyelled."IsawtheballdroponTVattwelve.It’sinNewYork,youknow?Ifyoumovethere,willyoutakemetoseeitdropinreallife?"heasked.
"Sure,Teddy,"Isaidfeigningenthusiasm.TheideaofmegoingtoNewYorkwasseemingmoreandmorereal,andthoughthisgenerallyfilledmewithanervous,ifconflicted,excitement,theimageofmeandTeddyhangingouttogetheronNewYear’sEveleftmefeelingunbearablylonely.
Momlookedatme,eyebrowsarched."It’sNewYear’sDay,soIwon’tgiveyoushitforcominginatthishour.Butifyou’rehungover,you’regrounded."
"I’mnot.Ihadonebeer.I’mjusttired."
"Justtired,isit?Yousure?"Momgrabbedaholdofmywristandturnedmetowardher.Whenshesawmystrickenexpression,shetiltedherheadtothesideasiftosay,Youokay?Ishruggedandbitmyliptokeepfromlosingit.Momnodded.Shehandedmeacupofcoffeeandledmetothetable.
