The Widow Waltz by Sally Koslow

Author:Sally Koslow
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: General Fiction
ISBN: 9780670025640
Publisher: Viking
Published: 2013-01-01T08:00:00+00:00

23.

Her mother was keeping the thermostat low to save money. Nicola threw a robe over her nightgown and knocked on Luey’s door. “I come in peace,” she said. “Can we talk?”

“Suit yourself,” Luey answered, her voice barely audible as she continued to text, not looking up. Nicola entered and breathed in the scent of a burning candle.

Don’t do it, Nicola had been thinking for the past hour as she sipped glass after glass of Shiraz. Stay pregnant. She sat down on the bed and before she lost her nerve, sidled close to her sister and put her arms around her. Luey stiffened, but put down her phone.

“If you decide to keep the baby, I’ll help you,” Nicola said. “I’m sure Mother will, too. We’ll see you find a way.” It was easier to say the words without having to look at her sister’s face. Certainly she could learn to give bottles or change diapers. If there was a TED talk about a robot who flies, an expert must podcast this, too.

“I’ve been thinking of giving up the baby for adoption,” Luey said. On television, Luciano Pavarotti and Tracy Chapman, Luey’s favorite, were harmonizing on the lyrics to “Baby Can I Hold You” Pavarotti’s tenor was so rich and dark it probably had calories.

“That seems like a rash step,” Nicola said, though it was exactly what she would do.

“I’m a rash kind of a gal, you know that.”

Nicola did. “I don’t envy your having to make up your mind about this,” she said.

For the next few minutes, both of them cried, as much from fear as affection. Nicola wasn’t sure if her own tears were for Luey’s bad luck, or because Luey had shared something personal.

“Let’s talk in the morning,” Luey said, sleepily, after some time passed. Nicola got up to leave. “Thank you, Cola,” she added. “I’m so lucky to have you as a sister.”

Nicola tightened her robe around her, blowing Luey a kiss. As she scuttled down the hall, she felt happy, as if she had done some good in the world.

She was also immensely glad that it was her sister who was pregnant. Not her.

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