“And?”

“Like I said, it can mean different things.”

“I know you’re trying to be diplomatic here, but I’m at a loss. Is there anything you can tell me?”

Liz took her time before answering. “If there’s one common thread that underlies situations like these, it’s generally anger.”

“You think Vivian’s angry with me?”

“I don’t spend a lot of time with Vivian, and when I do, it’s usually when we’re here with the whole family. There’s only so much one can learn in a setting like this. But when people are angry, they often behave in ways that are dictated by that emotion. They can do things they ordinarily wouldn’t do.”

“Like open a secret bank account?”

“It’s not secret, Russ. She told you about it.”

“So she’s… not angry?”

“I think,” she said, “that you’d be in a better position to answer that than I am.”

Another hour passed, and there was still no sign of Vivian or London. Marge and Liz had gone for a walk around the block while Dad had settled in front of the television to watch a ball game. I found my mom in the kitchen, dicing potatoes as a large pot of stew simmered on the stovetop, the aroma already tantalizing. She wore a bright orange apron that I vaguely remembered buying for her.

“There you are,” she said. “I was wondering when you’d finally get around to visiting with your old mom.”

“Sorry,” I said, leaning in to give her a hug. “I didn’t mean to offend.”

“Oh, hush. I was kidding. How are you? You look like you’ve lost weight.”

I liked that she’d noticed. “Maybe a little.”

“Are you eating enough?”

“I’ve started jogging again.”

“Yuck,” she said. “I don’t understand how anyone can like jogging.”

“What are you making? It smells great in here.”

“It’s a French country stew. Joanne gave me the recipe and I thought I’d give it a try.”

“Liz probably has a great recipe.”

“I’m sure she does. But Joanne beat her to punch.”

“Do I know Joanne?”

“From the Red Hat Society. You probably saw her when you picked up London at lunch that day.”

“Was she the one wearing the red hat? And the purple blouse?”

“Ha, ha.”

“How are those fine red-hatted ladies doing?”

“They’re wonderful, and we have so much fun together. Last week after lunch, a few of us went to a lecture at the college given by an astronomer. Did you know that they’ve recently discovered an earth-sized planet that orbits another sun? And that the planet is the same distance from the sun as Earth? Which means there could actually be life on that planet.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“We talked about it at our next meeting.”

“Because you want to be the first group to welcome the aliens with red hats if they ever visit?”

“Why are you teasing me? It’s not nice.”

I chuckled. “I’m sorry, Mom. I couldn’t resist.”

She shook her head. “I don’t know where you got the idea that teasing mothers is a good thing. You certainly didn’t learn it from me.”

“That’s true,” I said. I motioned to the onion sitting beside the chopping block. “Do you need me to help with that?”

“You’re volunteering in the kitchen?”

“I’ve been doing quite a bit of cooking lately.”

“SpaghettiOs from a can?”

“Now who’s teasing who?”

Her eyes sparkled. “Just trying to keep up with my children. But no, I don’t need any help. Thank you, though. Is your father watching the game, or is he still in the garage?”

In the family room, I saw the flicker of the television screen.

“The game,” I answered.

“I had a dream about him a couple of days ago. Or at least, I think it was about him. It was one of those dreams where everything was foggy, so I couldn’t see very well. But he was in the hospital with the cancer.”

“Hmmm.”

“Anyway, there were all these beeping machines around him and Judge Judy was on the television. The doctor was from India I think, and there was a giant stuffed animal on the bed beside your dad. A big, purple pig.”

“Hmmm,” I said again.

“What do you think it means? The purple pig, I mean?”

“I really couldn’t tell you.”

“Did you know my grandmother was psychic? She used to have premonitions, too.”

“I thought you said it was a dream.”

“The point is that I’m worried about him.”

“I know you are. But the doctor said he was fine. He hasn’t been short of breath again, has he?”

“Not that I’ve noticed. And if he has, I’m sure he wouldn’t tell me.”

“I’ll ask him, okay?”

“Thank you,” she said. “Where are Vivian and London?”

“They’re grabbing some last-minute school supplies. They should be here pretty soon. London’s first day is Tuesday, by the way. I don’t know if you’d like to come, but you’re welcome to.”

“Your dad and I will both be there,” she said. “It’s a big day for her.”