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alley, an intrigue she could sink her teeth into. She swallowed, and wiped her mouth on her napkin. “Maybe he’s an international spy or something?”
    â€œOh, good God, what in heaven’s name would he be doing in Glace Bay, if he’s an international spy?”
    Susie took a gulp of her coffee. “I don’t know. Isn’t one place as good as another for spying? Is there a directory somewhere that says this city is good for spying and this city isn’t?”
    â€œNow you are being stupid. Istanbul and Marrakech and Casablanca are places for spying. They’re exotic. No one rushes around and says Bond, I need you to go to Glace Bay.”
    Susan made a face and took another huge bite. “You don’t know that. Maybe we’re the hub of foreign intrigue for the fine people of Marrakech. Are you going to eat that donut?”
    That night Lexie got a call from her sister Gabby. It was a relief. First, because it wasn’t her mother and second, because Adrian wasn’t home. She knew it was Gabby because she heard her inhale her cigarette first. That girl could inhale a smoke right down to her toes. An ex-boyfriend told Lexie that wasn’t all she could do really well.
    â€œHey Gab.”
    â€œHey yourself. Did Mom get in touch with you?
    â€œAre you kidding? The day Mom doesn’t call me is the day I know she’s dead.”
    â€œPoor Lex,” she cooed. “Let me guess. Another diet she wants to shove down your throat or the continuous whine about your single status?”
    â€œGabby, as you know full well, there are no other topics in the world except my biological clock, Beth’s beautiful children, your pending nuptials to an investment banker and Kate’s doctorate.” She ran out of breath.
    â€œTell her to take a hike, that’s what I’d do.”
    â€œYou get away with stuff like that. She’s afraid of you.”
    â€œPooh.”
    â€œIt’s true. You look fabulous. You dress like a model. Guys drip all over you. I know for a fact she’s jealous. Isn’t everyone?”
    She inhaled again. “You think so?”
    â€œI know so.”
    â€œHow do you know?” There was something in Gabby’s voice that told her this notion had never occurred to her sister. But Lexie knew. She also knew her mother would never look at her with green eyes. Ever.
    â€œTrust me darling. You have power over her. Something I’ll never possess, unless I make a voodoo doll in art class.”
    â€œOh Lex, I love you. I wish I was like you.”
    â€œYou want to weigh 165 pounds, have frizzy hair and a dead-end job in the same town where you grew up?”
    â€œYou know, I could smack you. Why do you put yourself down like that? Is that all you think you are?”
    â€œWell, what else is there?”
    â€œFor one thing, people like being around you. You’re funny and smart and loyal.”
    â€œSo what.”
    â€œYou are an ass, do you know that? I’m trying to tell you being beautiful isn’t everything.”
    Lexie laughed. Was she serious? “Only someone beautiful can say something so stupid.”
    Gabby hung up on her.
    Damn. Now she felt bad.
    It was one of their typical nights in. Adrian was by the fire. Lexie took a bath earlier in the evening and her hair was in a knot on the top of her head, an old frayed bathrobe wrapped around her. She stood at the sink and washed the dishes. She hollered over her shoulder. “What kind of dessert should I make for the dinner party?”
    Adrian entered the kitchen, grabbed a dishtowel and stood beside her to dry the dishes.
    â€œHow about triple fudge chocolate cheese cake?”
    Lexie huffed. “Do you want me thrown out on my considerable ass?”
    â€œI refuse to answer that ridiculous question. Now tell me. Is there a dress code for this family affair? I don’t have anything to wear. I couldn’t fit my tux in the