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of them?” Judith inquired, hoisting the garment bag over her shoulder and feeling her lower back give a twinge of pain.
    Renie gave Judith an arch look. “Hardly. I could have brought almost everything in the big suitcase if Bill hadn’t taken it with him to Champaign-Urbana.”
    It was almost dark as they drove through patches of wispy fog. Renie asked after Joe; Judith inquired about their mothers.
    â€œMy mother acted as if I were going with Admiral Byrd to the South Pole on a five-year expedition,” replied Renie. “Your mother said it was too bad Joe didn’t break his neck instead of his leg.”
    â€œIn other words,” Judith said dryly, “they’re both fine.”
    â€œThey’re themselves,” replied Renie. “My mother says yours smokes too much. Your mother gripes that mine talks too much. Before I left, they were arguing about what to have for dinner. My mother wanted to warm up some green Spam she’s been saving in the fridge for about three months and yours wanted me to run down to the public market and get pickled pig’s feet. Fortunately, Auntie Vance and Uncle Vince called to say they were coming down from the Island with a vat full of chicken and noodles. They’re staying for dinner.”
    â€œGood,” said Judith, braking for a curve. “Did Mike call from Montana?”
    Renie gave Judith a vexed look. “Not that I know of. He didn’t leave until yesterday. He’s probably just getting in about now. Stop fussing.” Still eyeing Judith’s strong profile, Renie’s face softened. She knew her cousin was feeling guilty about a lot of things—for sending Gertrude off to live with Deb, for not paying more attention to Mike’s summer plans and the upcoming fall semester at school, even for finally getting what she wanted by becoming Joe’s wife. The cousins’ minds were so in tune that Renie understood how Judith could feel both elated over her newly-married state and yet undeserving. There had been so many years of obstacles and discontent that Renie realized Judith felt unworthy of happiness.
    â€œBoy, are you lucky,” said Renie brightly. She didn’t wait for Judith’s response, which was just as well since an ancient RV was swaying dangerously in front of them and forcing a slowdown to forty-five. “You’ve only been married for two days and you’ve already had your first bad break. Break? Get it? Ha-ha.”
    Judith kept her eyes on the road. “I’m sure glad I asked you to come down. You’re always so positive, you twit.”
    Renie ignored Judith’s remark. She knew how glad Judith was to have her. And Renie was glad to tag along. It was Judith who put their feelings into words as she finally got onto a straight piece of road and was able to pass the lurching camper.
    â€œStrange as it seems, coz, my honeymoon wouldn’t have been complete without you.”
    Renie grinned. “Gee, somehow I’d hoped it would be. Then again,” she added in an unusually thoughtful voice, “maybe I didn’t.”

THREE
    E VEN IN THE dark, Renie was charmed by the cottage. They had parked in the garage, but Judith insisted on taking Renie around to the front so she could get an unobstructed moonlight view of the ocean. The cousins stood on the bluff watching the silver waves in silence. Although the kites had disappeared for the day, the beach still beckoned strollers and even a few joggers.
    â€œNice,” said Renie at last. “Very nice. I can see why you didn’t want to waste the rental.”
    They had turned back to the house. Judith started to speak, then let out a exclamation of surprise: “Hey—I didn’t turn on any lights. It wasn’t dark when I left and I never thought about it.”
    The cousins stared at the picture window in the living room. A single floor lamp was aglow, and in the doorway to the kitchen,