Page 111 of The New Place

“Have you talked to him recently?” Abbot scratches lightly at Ned’s scalp. Tonight was long and he’s tired, but being with Ned like this is nice. It always is, and suddenly, fiercely, he misses the time they didn’t share last night. Why couldn’t he have cheered up? Focused on being present with Ned, and not lingered in his own discontent?

“Hmm, that feels good. Not really. He’s in the middle of diagramming the frequency of Claire being in touch and trying to figure out what to read into it that she’s been a bit quieter the last few days.”

“Sounds like he could use a statistician.”

“Don’t encourage him. At the vet today, the guy said she was out sick, so I think she’s really just not doing great. She didn’t say anything when you two talked?”

“That her last boyfriend was rather subpar,” Abbot says, though no, she had said more than that. It’s one thing to have fun and another entirely to build something together, she’d said, though when he tries to repeat that to Ned now, the words stick in his throat. He pulls his hand back so he can shut his laptop and set it aside.

“I hope they work out.” If Ned noticed the beat of silence, he doesn’t say anything.

“Me too.”

“Hey.” Ned props up on his elbow. “When your dad asked to talk after dinner, he gave me these.” Ned reaches for his coat draped over his desk chair. He pulls two boxes from the pocket and opens the first. A men’s watch sits inside, and Abbot recognizes it the same moment Ned says, “I guess it was your grandfather’s.”

It’s been cleaned since the last time Abbot saw it, some of the nicks of age and wear fixed, and it gleams softly in the lamplight. It’ll suit Ned, understated like some watches aren’t, and practical enough for everyday wear. Abbot should have thought of getting him something similar, and he might have, had he really planned out a proposal.

Of course, his father just went ahead and did so, without bothering to inform Abbot. He might have guessed. What will his father do next? Buy that house they saw with Sandy without asking if Abbot cares for it? Show up at Newbury at the beginning of the fall semester, having reviewed Abbot’s syllabuses and class rosters, ready to offer his feedback on the week’s reading?

He might, actually. The house, at least. Couch it as having purchased a place in Boston for him and Liesl to stay.

“Abbot?”

“It’s a Patek Philippe. Yes, it was my grandfather’s.”

“It has to cost more than my car. He just gave it to me. Just handed it over. And—and this too.” Ned opens the other box without warning and holds it out.

Quickly, Abbot sits up and nudges Baxter’s head off his leg. He’d really like to get up, though between the dog and Ned trapping him against the wall, it’s difficult.

“Abbot. Just give me a minute, okay?”

No, it’s not okay. Abbot’s stomach is crawling up into his throat. He should take Baxter out. Now. He reaches for Baxter’s collar.

Ned’s hand catches his. “Hon, I don’t think you’re alright.”

“I’m—”

“Fine? I keep thinking you just need time, but I’m not entirely sure more time is helping.”

Time. The tick of seconds slipping by, the minute hand dashing forward. Weeks, not months, the doctors had said.

“We do have to talk,” Ned says gently. “Because things are getting out of hand and we’re coming up against stuff we have to figure out. Your dad gave this to me for Peggy. Is that alright with you?”

“It’s his to give.”

“Yes, okay, but it’s yours and Liesl’s too.”

“Liesl has plenty of other items.” Of our mother’s, he doesn’t clarify. There’s other jewelry and favorite books and keepsakes and pictures and⁠—

That envelope sits at his house. He can nearly feel its presence, like it’s followed him down to Boston.

“Is this something you want Peggy to have?” Ned asks.

“Yes. I said I’d get her something more,” Abbot says, speaking quickly so this can be over all the sooner. “This is convenient.”

“Convenient,” Ned echoes.

Ah. Yes. That sounds rather callous. “I just meant…” Abbot pauses. He’s not sure what he meant. That this saved him an errand, but it’s not like he was trying to avoid finding something for Peggy. “If she wants something else, I could get her that instead.”