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"No, she didn't. I . ."

"Just like her when she has one of her charity affairs. She gets so excited and flustered, she forgets everything else," I said. I knew he would believe that. "I'm going to visit my grandmother. Everything's been arranged. I'm afraid we will have to leave

immediately so that I will not miss my train."

"But . ." He looked up at the house.

"Miles?" I lifted my suitcase to indicate he should take it.

"Oh." He took it hurriedly and put it into the trunk of the limousine. "I can't understand why Curtis didn't remind me. He always reminds me about trips."

"Perhaps Momma didn't think to tell him either," I said. "Shall we go?"

"What? Oh, yes." He opened the door for me and I slipped in quickly. Then he got into the limousine and started the engine. I watched the front doorway, half expecting my mother to suddenly appear and start screaming, demanding to know what was happening. But she didn't emerge, and Miles started down the long, winding driveway. I gazed out the side window and suddenly saw little Troy and his nurse coming back from a walk on the beach. In my excitement and anger, I had forgotten all about him and what my leaving would mean to him.

"Oh no," I muttered. "Troy. Miles," I cried. "Please, stop for a moment. I forgot to say goodbye to Troy."

As soon as the car came to a halt, I stepped out and called and waved to Troy. He paused and came running toward me, his little pail swinging in his hand.

"Leigh. I got the biggest shell you ever saw," he cried. "Look." He stopped before me, out of breath, and put his pail down. He had a pink and white conch set on top of a variety of small shells.

"That is big."

"And you can hear the ocean's roar." He picked it up and handed it to me. "Listen."

I put it to my ear and nodded, smiling.

"Sounds like it's going to come out and get me all wet," I said, pulling it away as if I were really afraid. He laughed.

"It's not really in there." He took the shell back and placed it in his pail. Then he looked at the limousine. "Where are you going, Leigh?"

"I've got to go away for a while, Troy." I took his little hand into mine and squatted so I could look into his eyes. "You be good and try to rest and eat right while I am away, okay?"

"But when are you coming back?"

"Not for a while, Troy."

"A long while?" I nodded. "Then I want to go with you." "You can't, Troy. You've got to stay here where you can be looked after."

"But where are you going?" he asked again, his eyes already tearing.

"To see my grandmother."

"How come you never went before?" he asked, his clever little mind quickly working up skepticism.

"I was always too busy," I lied. He tilted his head slightly.

He could see I was lying, I thought, but I couldn't help it. "Aren't you really corning back, Leigh?" he asked softly. "Of course," I said. I smiled and squeezed back the fat tears that wanted to burst out.

"No, you're not," he said pulling away from me. "You're leaving me and Farthy. You're not coming back; you're not."

"I will, Troy. I promise. Somehow, someway, I'll come back to you."

"Promise?"

"Cross my heart. Come, kiss me goodbye. Please," I begged. "Otherwise, I will have a horrible trip." I grimaced, resembling someone already in great torment.

He relented and put his small arms around my neck. I kissed his cheek and held him tightly. Then he pecked mine like a tiny bird and pulled back. I stood up, smiled down at him, and headed back to the car.