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school. Brian was the exact opposite to your loner, outcast, but now I realize that’s not who you were. We pushed you into that role because of the way we treated you. I know about what happened with your father. How he used to . . . to treat you.”
    Jessie cringed, but hid the instinctive reaction by taking a sip of coffee.
    “Brian sometimes gets going when he’s drinking, and there’s no telling what he’ll say. I guess I’m just trying to say I’m sorry I wasn’t very nice to you in school. I’ve been married to your brother for more than two years and we were together before that for three more. I love him. But, Jessie, I’m desperate. I want this baby to have a good life with a father who loves him and isn’t half in the bag by suppertime.”
    “Him. It’s a boy?”
    “I don’t know for sure, but that’s my intuition. I haven’t had one of those ultrasound things. We don’t have insurance because Brian won’t work steady hours. He does fine for months and then goes on a bender and everything he’s worked for is wasted. It’s like he’s afraid to succeed. He’s smart and works hard. He’s great with his hands. I don’t know what to do, or how to get him to stop drinking. He’s punishing himself because you died. Well, we thought you did.”
    “He might wish I were dead when I start on him. I’ve come here to bury the old man and set Brian straight. If you want my help, you’ve got it. If you want me to keep my nose out of your business, say so now.”
    “You really are a no-nonsense, get-to-the-point kind of person.”
    “I don’t want to waste my time, or yours, trying to fix things if you don’t want my help. I’ll probably step on your pride, and I’ll kick some ass with Brian. You probably won’t like my style, but I have your best interest at heart. I have the baby’s best interest at heart.”
    “I’m having a hard time getting past the fact you’re sitting in my kitchen. And you’re offering to help with Brian. Clearly, you mean business. It’s just so hard to believe.”
    Marilee sighed so heavily Jessie felt the breeze from across the table. “Believe it. I know you’ve resigned yourself to the fate of being married to a drunk. I’m offering you a different future.”
    “I’ve asked my parents to help us more times than I can count. I can’t ask them again. The rent is due, the electricity bill is past due, the telephone is about to be shut off, and that’s not all.” She stood and flung open the refrigerator to reveal the nearly empty compartment. Among the few condiments, an apple sat alone in the crisper. An almost-empty container of milk and a block of cheese occupied one of the shelves. The rest looked inedible and sad. Jessie would bet the cupboards weren’t much better.
    “Jessie, I’m begging you. If you can get Brian to be the man he was years ago before this baby arrives, I’ll do anything you ask. You won’t hurt my pride, because I don’t have any left. I’ve used it all up trying to make ends meet and make a semblance of a life for this baby.”
    “Are you working?”
    “Yes, at the insurance agency in town. It’s a small business, so they don’t offer insurance to their employees. Too expensive. Ironic, I know. I have no idea how we’ll pay the hospital bills when this baby arrives. I started as the receptionist, but now I’m an assistant to one of the agents. I’ve been learning how to do claims. It’s a good job and pays well.” She bit her lower lip and glanced at her sleeping husband. “I want to go over there and throw his feet off the couch and choke him for making me worry about everything while he drinks himself to death.”
    Jessie could relate. “Will they give you time off when the baby arrives, then allow you to come back?”
    “Yes, I’ve worked it all out.”
    “Okay. Then, here’s the deal. I’ve got a job for Brian. He’ll get insurance by the end of next week. I’ll make sure of it. As soon as it kicks