She knew she had to tell Wall now. Every other day he was at work, and in the evenings, he was irritable if Heather tried to have a conversation.

  Heather walked into the den. Wall was texting on his phone.

  “Hi, Wall. I’m back. The trip to the island was great!”

  Wall hurriedly closed his phone. “Glad you had fun.”

  She stood by the doorway for a moment, studying her husband. He was still handsome, only forty-seven, with thick dark hair slightly streaked with gray, and the same long torso and wide shoulders that their son had.

  When she saw that the Boston team was ahead by seven runs, she felt like fate was giving her a sign: Do it now. He could take a few minutes away from the game, knowing his team was ahead.

  Heather entered the den and sat in a chair near the sofa. “I want to talk to you.”

  Wall stared at the television. “Go ahead. Talk.”

  She was very calm when she spoke, like a student who knew the right answer. “Wall, I’m leaving you. I want a divorce. I have a lawyer. You know her, Sarah Martin.”

  Wall jerked his attention away from the television. Looking at Heather, he said, “What in the hell are you talking about?”

  Heather picked up the remote and shut off the television. “Wall. The Red Sox are fine. They’ll win this game. You need to talk with me. You need to hear me.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Wall snapped. He reached for the remote control.

  Heather was already highly emotional, feeling proud and terrified that she had finally let her words into the air. When Wall grabbed for the remote, she held it behind her back. The situation was so childish, so surreal, she couldn’t help but laugh, a little hysterically.

  “Wall. Stop. Listen. I’m telling you I’m leaving you.”

  “Oh, for God’s sake,” he said, running his hand through his hair. “What’s your problem now?”

  Trembling with a mix of fear and hope, Heather said, “Wall, be realistic. You and I haven’t been happy together for years.”

  “Life isn’t about being happy all the time,” Wall told her.

  “But shouldn’t it be about being happy some of the time?” Heather asked. “Wall, when was the last time we went out to dinner or to a movie?”

  “We don’t need to pay movie prices. We’ve got cable.”

  “All right, then, when was the last time we made love?”

  Wall sighed. “We don’t need to have sex. We’re married. We’ve had more sex than I can remember.”

  “That means we haven’t had any memorable sex.” Heather laughed softly. “Wall, come on. Admit it. Whatever we once had between us has run its course. We make each other miserable. I don’t want to live the rest of my life the way I have the past few years.”

  Wall shrugged. “Do what you have to do.”

  Heather said, “Wall, I’m worried about you.”

  “Don’t bother,” Wall said. “I’m fine.” He crossed his arms over his chest, his mouth tightened into a thin line.

  “Wall, I’ve rented a cottage on Nantucket. I’m going to live there this summer and take some time to decide what I want to do next. But you won’t be alone. Ross will be back living here, and he’ll be working for you in the store, as planned. You won’t miss me at all.”

  “Give me the remote control,” Wall said.

  Heather stood up and dropped the remote on the sofa. She walked out of the room.

  two

  Kailee didn’t hate Heather right away.

  At first, she only thought Heather was a little tiresome, using her texts and phone messages to put a guilt trip on Ross because he spent Thanksgiving and Christmas with Kailee and her parents. After all, Ross was an adult and would graduate from university this spring. He should be free to do whatever he wanted.

  It was the meeting in the coffee shop that decided it.

  She should have been prepared. Someone who wasn’t from Nantucket wouldn’t appreciate who Kailee was.

  And Heather certainly didn’t.

  Heather didn’t know that Kailee Essex was descended from Bartholomew Essex, who landed on the island with a British ship in 1697. Her family was part of the aristocracy of Nantucket, along with the Coffins, Starbucks, and Folgers.

  Kailee had been brought up to be a strong, confident woman. During high school she’d been one of the prettiest girls, with her long chestnut hair, green eyes, and dimples in her cheeks. She’d had a group of friends who giggled and gossiped and took trips off-island to shop. During high school, her father’s company, Essex Construction, began to take on contracts to build the mega-mansions that caused public furor and letters to the editor and shouting at town meetings about how the trophy houses were ruining the island. Still, her friends stayed close. Some parents were real estate dealers who sold off historic properties to summer people who then knocked down the houses and built new faux palaces. Some parents were interior decorators. And of course, electricians, carpenters, and other construction workers were in her father’s employ. Kailee and her family were not alone in getting rich and richer on the island, but she hadn’t really paid attention. She ran with her gang, danced on the beach with her boyfriend, and even told her parents she didn’t want to leave the island for college.

  They insisted she go.

  She went, driving off in her red Jeep convertible with the top down and stickers on the back bumper. One read: Gut Fish Not Houses. The other said: Local Since Forever.

  College had been eye-opening for Kailee, and she was the kind of person who could learn from her mistakes and move on. She wasn’t an outstanding scholar, but she excelled at accounting and technology, and that was what she needed for her father’s company. She assumed she’d marry one of the island men, hopefully one with a genealogy as prestigious as hers.

  She hadn’t counted on Ross Willette. Kailee had had a serious boyfriend in high school, but they broke up amicably when they started college. She dated a lot and flirted more during her first three years at UMass, but in the fall of her senior year, she met Ross in class.

  Even with Covid masks on, it was as simple as that.

  He was over six feet tall, with wide shoulders and a swimmer’s build—and it was so perfect that he was on the UMass swim team, even though they couldn’t swim because of Covid. Kailee loved swimming. Her favorite place was at Madaket, where the Atlantic changed its mood daily, challenging Kailee, tossing her around, giving her a good game. She had a swimmer’s build, too: slender torso, wide shoulders, strong arms and legs, small breasts. During the Nantucket Atheneum’s annual Cold Turkey Plunge over Thanksgiving, when the water was cold, Kailee was the first one to run into the icy waves, screaming with delight.

  When Kailee and Ross looked at each other in that class, they were like two heat-seeking missiles finding their target. Ross crossed the room to talk to her, and afterward they’d gone to sit on the front steps and talk. Ross had dark hair and light brown eyes that Kailee swooned over every time she looked at him. He was smart, not creepy genius level, but smart enough, and funny, and nice. His parents owned a hardware store in a historic town. Ross and Kailee realized they had a natural bond, coming from families in the construction business. Two days later, they found themselves in the same group volunteering for the local ecology center and talked more. They realized they shared the same dream: to save their planet.

  Also, they were madly sexually attracted to each other. When they first kissed, it was all they could do not to make love right there on the front steps of the community building.

  As the days passed, they fell more in love and knew they wanted to be together, always. Eventually, they’d marry, but first Kailee wanted Ross to get to know the Nantucket community, her friends, her father’s employees, so that he felt he belonged. Her parents liked Ross a lot. He could wear a blazer and a tie and make polite conversation. Kailee’s father would start Ross low, working on framing and shingling, waiting to see what kind of worker Ross was. Ross was strong. He could press Kailee over his head and hold her there forever without tiring. He didn’t worry about fitting in with her island friends—Ross never worried about anything like that. He did worry about his mom and dad and his dad’s business. The world had changed, but his dad hadn’t gotten the message yet, or he’d gotten the message but didn’t believe it. Ross felt closer to his mom than his dad. Kailee felt closer to her dad than her mom. Kailee believed there was a kind of karmic balance that way.

  After Ross spent Christmas on Nantucket last year, he’d gone to Vermont with the Essex family to ski during January break. He’d hinted to his parents that he would work on the island this summer, but only by texts. Heather had texted, We miss you! And, Bring Kailee to visit. We’d love to see you both! Wall had texted Ross that he was needed, and expected, to work at Willette’s Hardware in Concord. Ross told Kailee he really needed a face-to-face with his parents.

  Today Kailee and Ross were meeting his parents in Amherst, at a coffee shop near the university, for a friendly talk. What they hoped would be a friendly talk. Graduation was a week away. Kailee knew Ross worried about hurting his parents by working for Essex Construction, but he needed to make it clear, and he needed Kailee with him for emotional support. Kailee planned to be sweet and adorable.

  They found a parking spot on the street, slipped coins into the meter, and headed toward the coffee shop. When they went through the door, Ross took Kailee’s hand.

  Ross’s mother waved from a table by the window. She was lovely, pretty in a soft way, wearing a flowery spring scarf around her neck. Kailee’s mother was chic. She didn’t dress in seasonal themes.

  Heather rose to hug him. “My big boy.”

  “Mom,” Ross said, grinning.

  Kailee held back politely, letting Heather embrace her son.

  “Kailee,” Heather said. “We’re so glad to see you again.”

  “You look wonderful, Mrs. Willette.” Kailee tried to seem perky. She thought Mrs. Willette probably favored perky girls for her son.

  “Oh, call me Heather, please. Don’t you look pretty! Would you like a pastry? A cinnamon bun?”

  Ross took Kailee’s hand. “Mom. We just want to talk.”

  “Sit down,” Wall said, his tone pleasant.

  “I’ll get our coffees,” Kailee said to Ross.

  Ross pulled up a chair between his parents. “How are you guys?”

  Heather grinned. “You’re stalling until Kailee gets back.”

  “Can’t a kid ask how his parents are?” Ross asked. His left leg bounced the way it had when he was younger and nervous.

  “Here we go,” Kailee said, swooping into her chair with their coffees.

  Heather and Wall looked at the other couple expectantly.

  “Okay, you guys, here’s the deal,” Ross said. “I know we texted about this, so I’m, uh, reminding you that I’m going to Nantucket with Kailee. I’m going to work for Essex Construction this summer.”

  Ross’s father’s face went so red Kailee almost jumped out of her chair, wanting to catch him if he had a heart attack and fell. But Wall sat frozen except for the muscles working in his jaw.

  His mother looked appalled. “But, Ross, as we texted you, that’s not what we planned. Last summer, when we had our serious talk before you went off for your senior year, you were so excited about working with your father after graduation and gradually taking over the store. You’ve been wanting to do that since you were a little boy!”

  “I’m sorry, Mom,” Ross said, and he did sound sorry. “I’m older now. Things have changed. I’ve changed. I just don’t think there’s a future for me at the hardware store.”

  “Not much of a future for anyone, really,” Kailee added gently. “This semester in our business management course, we’ve been studying about all the giant corporations that are displacing the small businesses, and it may be too bad, but it’s what’s happening.”

  “Not necessarily,” Heather argued quietly. “For example, Willette’s Hardware has many loyal customers. And people don’t have to walk a mile in a parking lot to get there.” She looked at Wall again, surprised he wasn’t saying anything.

  Wall looked as if he’d aged fifty years in one moment.

  And people usually did not argue with Kailee.

  “Heather,” Kailee said, “Ross told me that last summer sales at Willette’s Hardware were on a downward slide, and we know that’s going to continue. This way, Ross will have a future, an important future.”

  Ross added, “We didn’t want to tell you this too soon, but Kailee and I are going to get engaged in the fall and married in the spring. I’m going to work with Kailee’s father, learning the ropes—”

  Kailee cut in. “There’s a lot to learn. This summer, Ross will work the different sections, to get to know the crew, hands-on experience, and the plan is that someday, eventually, Ross and I will be joint CEOs. I’ll do the business stuff. Ross will focus on project management and construction.”

  “What does your father think about this plan?” Wall asked, stony-faced.

  Ross spoke. “Dad, this is his plan. Bob has talked to me, and to both of us, several times. He’s shown me around the sites where he’s building houses, and the main office at the Madaket yard.”

  Wall growled, “Do you want to work for Mr. Essex for the rest of your life?”

  “I do. You and Mom have always said you want the best for me. This is the best.” Ross spoke urgently. “It’s a very big deal, Dad. It’s a huge construction company, and I want to be part of it. I’m sorry. I know you’re disappointed. I didn’t want to tell you before, I wanted to tell you in person.”

  Heather leaned forward, fixing Ross in her gaze. “You can’t do this, Ross. You need to stay with your father, at least for the summer. I’m serious. You can’t go to Nantucket this summer.”

  Ross said softly, as if speaking only to his mother, “Mom. I’m sorry. You’ll be fine without me. Dad will be fine. Look, I’ve already been gone for four years, in college. I’m an adult. I want my own life.”

  “Your mother is leaving me,” Wall suddenly announced, not looking at Heather.

  Kailee’s hand flew to her mouth in surprise.

  “What?” Ross asked. “You’re kidding.”

  “He’s not kidding. I’m sorry we had to tell you now, this way.” Heather sniffed back her tears. “It’s true. I’m divorcing your father. I have supported you in every way all your life, Ross, and now I want to start my life.”

  Kailee held her breath. If her parents got divorced, it would turn her world upside down. She didn’t speak. This was Ross’s battle.

  “But you love Dad,” Ross protested. “Mom. Come on!”

  “No,” Wall said. “She doesn’t. She’s leaving me as if I’m an old dog abandoned by the side of the road.”

  “That’s not true,” Heather said sadly. She looked at Ross. “I care for your father, but we’re not happy together anymore. I think we both deserve some happiness.”

  Ross frowned, puzzled. “Well, yeah, you deserve some happiness, but, Mom, I thought you were happy. Are happy.”

  Heather shook her head. Tears glimmered in her eyes. “I haven’t been happy for a long time, Ross. Believe me, I’ve tried to talk with your father about this.”

  Wall interrupted, blurting, “Go ahead, blame me!”

  “I’m not blaming anyone, Wall.” Heather turned to face Ross. She put her hand on his wrist.

  He’s not yours, Kailee thought furiously, but she controlled herself and stayed quiet.

  “Ross, I’ve been wanting to leave for years. I’ve seen therapists. I’ve asked Wall to see a marriage counselor with me, but he refuses, and it doesn’t matter anyway. My mind’s made up. I want to take a deep breath and start my life over. Your father and I were good parents to you. I’m asking you to do this one thing: Stay with your father this summer.”

  Ross was pale. He looked as if he was about to cry. “I didn’t know you were unhappy. You never seemed unhappy. Can’t you…”

  “I’ve already made arrangements,” Heather told him, and her voice was firm. “Your father and I have discussed this. We each have a lawyer, and we will have an amicable divorce. And your father is perfectly capable of taking care of himself.”

  “She’s right,” Wall said, lifting his chin and straightening his shoulders. “It’s her decision, but I accept it. I can almost understand her leaving me. But, Ross—you’re my son.”

  Ross turned to his father angrily. “I have been your son as long as I could help you in the store. Where were you when I had swim meets or football games in high school? Where were you when I was little and begged to go with you in your truck? You were going to the dump or the pharmacy or wherever, and you always told me I couldn’t go, I was too young, and you told Mom you didn’t want to have to deal with me. All I wanted was to sit in that big truck of yours and watch you drive!”

  Wall was angry. He shouted, “For God’s sake, Ross, don’t be such a baby. I was making a living. I was supporting you and your mother. Working so we could afford groceries and…and your Legos! When you were little, you never stopped talking. How could I think with you pulling on my shirt and jabbering away at me?”

  Looking around, Wall realized the entire room had gone silent. People were openly staring at him. Wall took a deep breath, dropping his eyes to the table, ignoring the others.

  Ross’s face was blotchy and crumpled as he held back tears. “Wow,” he said softly.

  Wall tried to make amends. “That’s why I want you to work with me. I mean, now we can understand each other. And I’ve already had a sign made. It says, Willette and Willette.” He smiled, as if the existence of the sign made everything all right.

  Kailee wanted to punch Ross’s father in the nose, but she said calmly, “Well, that cleared the air. I think we all know why Ross won’t work for his father this summer.”