Where Are You Now? Read Online Free PDF Page A

hoped that Elliott would side with me in my decision to try to find Mack, but he disappointed me. “Carolyn,” he said, slowly, as he read and reread the note, “I don’t think you’re being fair to Mack. He calls every year so that you’ll know he’s all right. You’ve told me yourself that he sounds confident, even happy. He respondsimmediately to your promise—or threat—to find him. In the most direct means at his disposal, he orders you to leave him alone. Why don’t you go along with his wishes, and, more important, why don’t you refuse to allow Mack to remain the center of your existence?”
    It was not the kind of question I’d expected from Elliott, and I could see the effort it took for him to make it. His eyes were troubled, his forehead creased, as he turned his gaze from me to my mother, whose own expression had become unreadable. I was glad we were at a corner table where no one else could observe her. I was afraid she would flare up at Elliott as she had at me after Mack’s call on Mother’s Day, or even worse, break into a storm of weeping.
    When she didn’t answer him, Elliott urged, “Olivia, give Mack the space he wants. Be satisfied that he’s alive, even take comfort in the fact that he’s obviously close by. I can tell you right now that if Charley were here, that’s exactly what he would be telling you.”
    My mother always surprises me. She picked up a fork and in an absentminded way, traced something on the cloth with the prongs. I would bet anything it was Mack’s name.
    As soon as she began to speak, I realized I had been completely wrong in evaluating her response to Mack’s note.
    â€œSince Dev showed us that message from Mack last night, I’ve been thinking somewhat in the same vein, Elliott,” she said. The pain in her voice was evident but there was no hint of tears there. “I lashed out at Carolynbecause she became angry at Mack. That wasn’t fair to her. I know that Carolyn worries about me all the time. Now Mack has given us an answer, not the answer I wanted, but that’s the way it is.”
    Her Mom tried to smile. “I am going to try to consider him an AWOL son—absent without leave. He may live in this area. As you say, he did respond quickly, and if he doesn’t want to see us, Carolyn and I are going to respect his wishes.” She paused, then added firmly, “So there.”
    â€œOlivia, I hope you stick to that decision,” Elliott said fervently.
    â€œI’m surely going to try. As a first step, my friends the Clarences are leaving for a cruise on their yacht, starting at the Greek islands this Friday. They’ve been trying to persuade me to join them. I’m going to do it.” She put her fork down in a gesture of finality.
    I sat back and pondered this unexpected turn of events. I had planned to talk to Elliott about my appointment with the superintendents of Mack’s building on Wednesday. Now, of course, I wouldn’t. Ironically, Mom had finally come to accept Mack’s situation, as I had begged her to for years, and now I didn’t welcome it. As every hour passed, I was more and more convinced that Mack was in serious trouble and facing it alone. I was about to raise that possibility but then clamped my lips together. With Mom away, I could search for Mack without having to cover up what I was doing, or worse yet, lying to her about it.
    â€œHow long is the cruise, Mom?” I asked.
    â€œAt least three weeks.”
    â€œI think it’s a great idea,” I said honestly.
    â€œSo do I,” Elliott agreed. “Now, what about you, Carolyn? Still interested in becoming an Assistant District Attorney?”
    â€œAbsolutely,” I said. “But I’ll wait a month or so to apply. If I’m lucky enough to be hired, I won’t have any time off for quite a while.”
    The evening progressed