Two Tickets and a Feather by Marianne Schlegelmilch

Author:Marianne Schlegelmilch
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Publication Consultants

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Phone Call

WHEN MARA CALLED DOUG FROM THE PAY PHONE IN CORDOVA, BEN DONALEY, as he had promised, intercepted and scrambled her call to all but Doug’s phone. It was a security measure that Doug appreciated more and more the longer he and Mara were apart. At least, on some level, whoever or whatever was interfering with their lives would not be able to use their precious conversations together to find them.

“You’ll never believe what’s been happening here,” Doug told her.

“Really? It’s getting kind of weird here, too,” Mara answered.

“”How are you holding up?” Doug asked his wife.

“I can’t stand us being apart like this,” she told him. “After Brad disappeared, I never thought I would love anyone again. Now, just when I do, something bigger than both of us is coming between us. I just don’t get it and I definitely don’t like it.”

Mara paused, but the long silence felt more to Doug like a distant embrace than any kind of awkward break in the conversation. “I love you and I miss you,” she whispered.

“I love you more,” he answered, half laughing. He knew he dared not get serious or he would not be able to keep Mara strong. “It’ll be over soon. Nothing lasts forever.”

“Don’t say that. Take it back!” Mara answered.

“You know what I mean,” Doug said.

“Take it back, Doug.”

“I take it back,” he replied. “You know I was just trying to make you feel better.”

“I know,” Mara answered. “But we have enough going against us without hexing ourselves.”

“I stopped at Ellie’s after leaving Homer, and Ben Donaley told me she had taken Anna and Thor and gone up to stay with Sarah,” Doug said, trying not to let Mara pick up on the uncertainty he felt. “When I went up there, Ellie grilled me pretty good, so I told her my suspicions about the boat, that she could and should trust Ben Donaley, and that you would be calling soon. Right after that you called.”

“It was so good to talk to her and Sarah again,” Mara answered. “How did Sarah look?”

“Big as a barn, and maybe a little pale,” he answered. “Ken said he’s pretty worried—something about anemia and strong vitamins the doctor’s making her take now.”

“Hearing about Sarah makes me sad about us not being able to have children,” Mara said. “And I imagine it does you, too. It makes me feel I cheated you.”

“Mara. Stop it!” Doug said. “I didn’t marry you because you could or could not have children. I married you because I love you. I felt then and I feel now that if children come our way somehow, it will just be a stronger extension of our love—but if they don’t, I’m okay with that, too. It’s you I love, you and all the pieces and parts that are you. Besides, we’ll have our hands full spoiling Anna and the new baby.”

“Are you sure you haven’t changed your mind about that and about marrying me?” Mara asked him.

“If I were there, I’d…” he told her.

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