Page 28 of Trust Again

The second thing that crossed my mind was that I must look awful. Mr. Cosgrove narrowed his eyes, as if I were a homeless person who’d forced my way into his home.

But who cared? He was wearing striped pajamas.

“You must be Dawn,” Spencer’s mother said. She held out her hand.

I took it and hoped my palm wasn’t clammy.

“Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Cosgrove,” I replied with a weary smile.

The whining grew louder, and I winced.

“Come downstairs, Dawn,” Mr. Cosgrove said abruptly, putting his hand between my shoulder blades to shepherd me down the hall.

If only Spencer were at my side.

Mrs. Cosgrove prepared a cup of hot chocolate for me and won my heart. Unfortunately, the steaming cup of sweetness didn’t undo the heavy silence, which only served to make the ticking of the grandfather clock in the living room seem unnaturally loud. Between the random shrieks from upstairs, it was all I could hear. Tick. Tock.

I was starting to feel exactly the way Mr. Cosgrove saw me. Like an intruder.

Tick. Tock.

“You have a beautiful home, Mr. and Mrs. Cosgrove,” I said, gesturing with my hand to encompass the breadth of it all.

“Thank you, Dawn, that’s very kind of you to say.” Mrs. Cosgrove smiled warmly, but there was still concern in her eyes.

“Where are you from?” Mr. Cosgrove asked abruptly.

“I grew up near Portland.”

“Where, exactly?”

“Beaverton.”

He grunted and leaned back in his chair.

“And you also attend Woodshill?” Spencer’s mother asked.

“I’m in my second semester of English and creative writing. It’s a great school. I really feel…”

Another snort from Mr. Cosgrove.

“… at home there.”

Mrs. Cosgrove nodded. “Spencer was disappointed about not getting into U of Portland, but now he’s only got good things to say about Woodshill.”

“It’s wonderful there. Not just the campus but the quality of education. All my professors are really there for the students. There’s a nice selection of classes and lectures so you can focus on what interests you most.”

“That’s lovely. Exactly as it should be,” Mrs. Cosgrove proclaimed.

“What do you do, if I may ask?” I inquired cautiously.

“We’re divorce lawyers. Our office is right next door.”

My eyes widened, and I must have given a little gasp.

“Oh, Dawn. Everything all right?” Mrs. Cosgrove asked, startled.

“Fine, thank you,” I whispered.