My head jerked up at the sound of my name.
“Oh, yes. Very.”
There was a pause that felt long enough for the world to end.
“Would you like some bread?” Sebastian said awkwardly.
I shook my head while David reached across me to take two rolls. Donna also declined but Johan looked hungry enough to eat all the rolls and the basket, too. Luckily Ches was close behind bringing out our entrées. I had no idea how I was going to eat anything, my stomach was so tied in knots. And I still couldn’t look at Sebastian.
The men dug into their food with gusto. I glanced up to see Donna give me a small wink; I had no idea what she was referring to but I tried to smile back; I probably just looked sick. From the corner of my eye I could see Sebastian waiting on other tables and Ches hurrying to and fro.
“I wonder if those boys will both enlist,” said Donna, musing aloud, “you know – following in their fathers’ footsteps.”
“The Hunter boy is going to,” said David confidently. “I don’t know about the other one.”
“Really?” said Donna. “I’m quite surprised: I rather thought Sebastian might do something else.”
“No,” said David with finality, “Donald told me himself. Estelle has talked him into letting the boy have a year at college first,” he sniffed disdainfully, “but that’s all he’s prepared to pay for; the boy will enlist after that.”
“That seems a little harsh,” said Donna frowning. “Surely they’d let him get his degree once he’s started?”
David shrugged. He really wasn’t that interested.
I was shocked yet again by Donald and Estelle’s callousness; I knew for a fact that Sebastian was unaware of this plan. I was even more determined that he’d get his degree if I had anything to do with it.
The conversation moved onto other people we knew in common and for me at least, into safer territory.
“Where did you get your fabulous dress, Caroline?” Donna asked while Ches cleared away the entrée plates.
“Westfield: I went this morning.”
“Oh! I wish I’d known. I was there this morning, too. We could have gone together. What a pity I didn’t see you.”
I shuddered internally at the thought of what had so narrowly been avoided.
“I don’t know why she had to pick black,” David complained. “It’s so funereal.”
Donna stared at him in astonishment then turned her sympathetic eyes to mine. I glanced away and caught Sebastian watching me. He looked angry: he’d obviously heard David’s unkind comment.
“Do you have any plans while David is away?” said Donna.
“Excuse me?”
“While he’s at the conference… you know, the thoracic surgery symposium in Dallas?”
I stared at her in bafflement.
“For God’s sake, Caroline!” muttered David. “What is the point of me filling in a schedule if you never look at it?”
“When are you going?”
“They’re flying out on Friday evening and back Sunday night,” Donna added helpfully.
Johan nodded to David. “Have you read the papers yet?”
I barely listened as they discussed the speakers: my mind was racing through the possible ways I could spend my 48 hours of freedom.
“What will you do with yourself, Caroline?” asked Donna.
“Oh, I don’t know. I guess I’ll be able to get on with my writing.”
“And you’ll come to the beach barbeque on Sunday?”
She immediately answered my blank expression.
“It’s for all the Service families. It’s usually pretty good fun and, as you’re by yourself… Oh, do say yes.”
With everyone staring at me, I had no choice.
“Yes, of course I’ll come,” I said.
I felt like some weird internal elevator was rushing up and down with its cargo of emotions: from elation at the thought of David being away for two nights, to come crashing down because precious hours when I could have been with Sebastian would now be squandered at a military picnic. Someone sure had a lousy sense of humor.