The Shimmer on the Water by Marina McCarron

Author:Marina McCarron [McCarron, Marina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781801104432
Publisher: Head of Zeus

25

Ellie

July, Texas, 1979

Ellie can’t remember the last time she was this happy. She doesn’t think she’s ever been so happy. It’s been a long four years, but medical school will soon be behind her. She’s made it, almost. Soon, she’ll begin her residency and a new part of her life.

As he has done almost every Friday night for the past four years, Dan is coming over for dinner. They need to talk about the future. Katie has finally graduated and Dan has set her up on her own horse farm. It seems to be working out. Ellie’s is certain Dan has been waiting for her to finish med school and is going to propose. She can’t wait to see her ring.

She’s wearing a low-cut, sleeveless, clingy black dress and the ruby necklace he gave her for her birthday. Her hair is long and loose, not piled high and enormous the way most women are wearing it now. She doesn’t have the time or the interest. Besides, Dan said she looked like someone from the golden era of Hollywood and that he liked that about her.

She’s looking in her bedroom mirror at her reflection when she hears the familiar sound of his key in the door. He makes so much noise wherever he goes.

‘Baby!’ he says, ‘Where are you?’

She races to him, can’t help herself.

She launches herself into his arms.

‘Medical school grad-u-ate!’ he says, lifting her from her feet.

Then he’s setting her down, heading to the kitchen, where she’s set the table. He pulls a bottle of champagne from a bag and shoves it in the freezer.

‘It’ll be ready in twenty minutes,’ he says.

Ellie sees the bag is from the corner store, clearly bought on the way in. It doesn’t sit right with her, the last-minuteness of it. Shouldn’t he be better prepared? Shouldn’t he have had something planned?

She takes off her black heels and walks into the kitchen barefoot, the red polish on her toes stark against the white of her skin and the black of her dress. She sees how pale she looks. She needs some sun.

‘I can’t wait to get a tan,’ she says. ‘Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve sat there and done nothing, just soaked up the sun?’

‘Maybe we can get a weekend in Galveston this summer,’ he says, pouring a glass of the red wine she has on the table. ‘Where’s the steaks?’

He looks around then opens the refrigerator, pulls them out. He slaps his hands together, seemingly more excited by the sight of red meat than her, and turns on the indoor grill. She hadn’t planned on eating so early and drains a glass of wine as she throws potatoes in the oven to roast.

Dan walks over to the balcony and opens the door, steps out into the night air.

‘I made a good deal today. A lot of money for the company.’

She’s lost count of the times he’s said this to her. She nudges his arm so she can cuddle in next to him.

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