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drifted off and I knew Eric sensed that I had not revealed all that I knew.
    “So are you gonna tell me what’s really going on or what?”
    “I can’t say, honey, because I don’t know. That’s for Uncle Trip to figure out. And Rusty.”
    “I guess.”
    “Rusty. You know, she’s actually a really nice lady. It’s too bad the girls can’t see it, because then things could be a lot easier for everyone.”
    “Right, I know what you mean. Logistics and all. Well, all I can tell you is that Amelia is freaking . . .”
    “I’ll call her.”
    “That might be a good idea but don’t tell her what I said, okay?”
    “I’m the Great Sphinx, baby, and you know it.”
    I told Eric that I loved him and he said that he loved me, too. We said good-bye, and even after I hung up, I stood there with my hand on the receiver. I already missed him. He would call me later in the week, he had said. He had a paper due on Wednesday and an important test on Friday. And no, there was no young woman in his life and if there was I would undoubtedly be the last person to hear of it. As far as I knew, he was living in the stacks. But then, why wouldn’t a handsome young man like Eric have someone? Ever since when? Yes, it was Christmas. That was the last time I heard him talk about a girl. It didn’t make sense. Maybe he did have someone and he just didn’t want me to know. Maybe he thought I wouldn’t approve.
    For years now, Eric and I had shared observations about family matters and other things that were more mature in nature than I suspected other parents enjoyed with their young sons. But then perhaps it was more typical for single parents to discuss grave adult matters with their children because there was no spouse on the scene. Eric was certainly more mature than most of the boys his age. No doubt this was part of the reason why. We used to joke that Eric had been born a little old man. I wished that Belle and Linnie were less self-centered and even just slightly more maternally inclined toward Chloe. It would have given me greater peace of mind to know they were focused on their little sister’s safety. But those girls? They were Frances Mae’s clones. Chasing boys and “getting around” had earned them some very sullied reputations. It was deeply embarrassing to know this. They were not embarrassed about it one iota.
    On the other hand, even though they were Lolitas, shouldn’t they be allowed to pass their teenage years unencumbered by the unfortunate problems of their mother? Yes, they should. In an ideal situation. Who among us had ever enjoyed a completely idyllic childhood? But maybe if those girls were forced to assume some extra responsibility, they might not have the time, energy, or inclination to take down the entire defensive football team of Colleton High School every weekend. They would never cooperate. I hoped they knew all about birth control and sexually transmitted diseases. I made a mental note to gently inquire the next time I got them in private. They could probably give me an education. Very little surprised me anymore.
    My mother crossed my mind. For at least the fifth time that week, I thought it was a good thing she had not lived to witness all of this because it would’ve killed her. What would she have said? I knew then that Millie was absolutely right. Miss Lavinia would’ve called Trip on the carpet and insisted that he get his wife the necessary help and that his daughters learn a little something about discretion. “In my day,” she would have said, “tramps sneaked around and they lied about their sexual exploits!” She would have told Belle and Linnie that one boy at a time should have been sufficient for them at their age. Although one was never enough for Mother after Daddy died, but then Mother was much older than the girls.
    I should have been more insistent with Trip. I would call him again in the morning. I would call him and tell him that he simply must do something