Page 131 of Forever Dead

Selena picked up one of the candy bags. “How many children are you expecting tomorrow?”

“A lot.”

“This is enough for a school.”

“We ran out last year.”

“You’ll still be eating chocolate in January.”

Robert’s smile faded gradually as his attention moved toward the front window.

“Eleanor used to bring some of the kids from the church group around here at Halloween.”

Selena followed the change in his voice. “I know, Dad. I’m sorry.”

“Hard to believe she’s gone.”

The room quieted.

“I keep expecting someone to tell me there’s been a mistake,” Robert said.

“I wish that, too.”

“Any progress?”

Selena hesitated. “Some.”

“That means you can’t tell me.”

“It means I’m not supposed to be involved while I’m recovering.”

Robert nodded. “If I know you, though...”

A strand of orange light blinked around the window. Selena watched their reflection in the glass.

“Mom loved her,” she said.

Robert’s expression softened. “Your mother thought the world of Eleanor.”

“So did I.”

“A great lady.”

Selena turned toward him.

Robert rubbed one palm over the chair arm. “When your mother got sick, Eleanor helped us more than you knew.”

“I knew she helped me.”

“You knew some of it.”

Selena waited.

“Those first few months were rough,” Robert said. “Your mother had appointments coming out of her ears. Tests, treatment, medication. Half the time I couldn’t remember which doctor had told us what.”

“You did your best.”

“I’ve never been so frightened, Lena,” he said. “You do your best to protect your kids from the stress of life, but it gets into you like a bad winter.”