Lapham Rising by Roger Rosenblatt

Author:Roger Rosenblatt
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2009-09-19T04:00:00+00:00

Eleven

Get your leash.”

“I hate that,” he says.

“You hate your leash?”

“I hate the fact that I automatically obey certain things you say. That you programmed me when I was too young to resist.”

“Those were the days.” I have no time for this. “Get your leash. We’re going to town.” I climb in the boat.

“‘Get your leash,’” he grumbles. “‘Get your leash.’ ‘Lie down.’ ‘Heel!’ Imagine ordering someone to heel! ‘Beg!’ Imagine ordering someone to beg!” One day I taught him about Pavlov, and he hit the ceiling.

“Are you coming or not?” I know he is; he lunges at any opportunity to get off the island. He crouches where the platforms meet on the dock, then springs into the rowboat, seeming briefly like an ordinary dog. “Good boy!” I tell him, though I know I always have to pay, one way or another, for needling Hector.

The phone rings as I am about to untie the ropes from the cleats on the pilings. Maybe Kathy’s calling back. Leaving Hector in the boat, I move as quickly as I can up the beach, up the lawn, and into the house. I get to the phone on the seventh ring.

“Well? Have you changed your mind?” I ask.

A strangely arresting silence follows. “Not bloody likely,” says the voice at the other end of the line.

“Chloe?” I find myself standing straighter.

“Harry, the children called me about your e-mail. They’re very worried, and so am I.”

“Oh, no no no no, Chlo. Everything is great.”

“Joel is worried too.”

“I’ve never met Joel,” I say, as if that comes to her as news. “But if the event I’m planning requires a professional touch, I’ll be sure to let him know.”

“He’s worried because I’m worried,” she says, putting me in my place. “Harry, please try to focus. You’re sounding crazier and crazier. I don’t know what you’re planning, and I know you won’t tell me, but promise me you won’t do something stupid or dangerous.”

I remain quiet.

“Harry?”

“Chloe, I’m very grateful for the call. Give my thanks to Joel too. And I apologize for the wisecrack. But I was just about to go off island. May I call you back tomorrow? We’ll have a nice long chat.”

“That was both gracious and coherent, Harry. Now you’ve really got me scared. I hardly need to remind you that you’re the last one to determine that you’re okay.”

I’d put up an argument if she were wrong.

“Harry, I love you. The children love you. Whatever it is you’re doing, please remember that there are people who care about you.” Her voice cracks. “I’ll leave it at that.”

“Got to go, Chlo,” I tell her, my voice also cracking. I’ll leave that at that, too.

As I’m about to climb back into the boat, Hector looks up. “I heard you say Chloe. Did she mention me?”

“Yes. She asked if you were still alive.”

“Praise the Lord!” he says. “She was thinking about little Hector!”

I guide us outside the L of the dock, brace my feet against the ribs of the boat and ply the oars with deep and even strokes.

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