“Okay,” London said, scampering off and vanishing inside. When the door closed behind her, I turned toward Vivian, aware that I was still bothered about her separate bank account, but it wasn’t the time or place to let her know how I felt. I forced myself to smile and pretend nothing was wrong at all.

“How did it go today?”

“You wouldn’t believe what a pain it was.” Vivian sighed. “It took forever to find the right backpack. They were sold out almost everywhere, but we finally got lucky at the last place we went. It goes without saying that the stores were packed. It was like everyone in Charlotte had the same idea and waited until the last minute to grab school supplies. Which meant, of course, that I had to get London a bite to eat because she was starving by the time we finally finished.”

“Shopping isn’t for the faint of heart,” Marge observed.

“At least it’s done,” Vivian said. She turned from Marge to Liz, focusing somewhere in between them. “How are things going with you two? Any trips planned?”

Marge and Liz both enjoyed traveling; in the years they’d been together, they’d visited over fifteen different countries.

“Next weekend, we’re going to Houston to see my parents,” Liz answered. “In October, we’re off to Costa Rica. Right after London’s birthday.”

“Wow… What’s in Costa Rica?”

“It’s more of an adventure trip. Zip-lines, rafting, hiking through the cloud forest, and we’ll see the Arenal volcano.”

“Sounds like fun.”

“I hope so. And then in early December, we’ll be going to New York City. There are some shows we want to see, and I hear the 9/11 Memorial Museum is really moving.”

“I love New York around the holidays. I never thought I’d miss it when I left, but every now and then, I find myself wondering why I ever left in the first place.”

We left because we were getting married. I didn’t say that, but Liz – being Liz – probably sensed my agitation and like me, wanted to keep things cordial. “There’s no other city quite like it, is there?” she said. “We always enjoy our trips there.”

“If you need help getting dinner reservations anywhere, let me know. I can call my old boss and I’m sure he can pull some strings.”

“Thank you. We’ll keep that in mind. How’s the office move to Atlanta going?”

“It’s going. For whatever reason, I’ve been put in charge of the logistics, and it’s been a lot more work than I imagined. I have to be in Atlanta for a couple of days at the end of the week.”

“But you’ll be at school on London’s first day?”

“I wouldn’t miss it.”

“I’m sure that will make London very happy. Is there an official move-in date yet? For Atlanta, I mean?”

“Sometime in mid-September, I’m guessing. It’s really going to be an incredible office. It’s right on Peachtree, with amazing views. And Walter has been setting up some of the executives with temporary corporate apartments, so that’s made things a little easier, too.”

“Will you be using one of the apartments?”

“I suppose it depends on how much time I’ll actually have to spend there.”

It depends?

Before I could figure out what that meant, Liz went on. “But you’ll be able to mainly work out of Charlotte, right?”

“That’s the hope, but who knows for sure? This week, I’m in Atlanta three days, but Walter is toying with the idea of eventually running for governor. Not next year, but in 2020. But between his real-estate developments and his PAC and now this, don’t be shocked if I have to be there four days a week.”

“That’s a lot of nights in a hotel.”

“If I’m there that much, I’d probably take Walter up on his offer for a corporate apartment.”

“Seriously?” I finally interjected, unable to help myself.

“What can I tell you? Liz is right about hotel living.”

“I’d rather you not have an apartment in Atlanta,” I said, wondering why I was just finding out about this now, instead of in private.

“I know you don’t,” she said. “Do you think I want that?”

I didn’t respond, because I wasn’t quite sure I knew the answer.

“Why would he want to be governor?” Marge asked, interrupting my thoughts. “He already has all the money and power he needs.”

“Why not? He’s been successful in everything he’s done. He’d probably be a great governor.”

Even as Vivian was talking, I was still thinking about the bank account and the apartment. Marge probably was, too, based on her expression. Liz, meanwhile, was a master at keeping conversations on neutral ground. “It sounds to me like he’ll be keeping you very busy over the next few years,” Liz said.

“I’m busy all day, every day already.”

“And you enjoy it,” Liz said.

“I do. I really missed working, and it’s an exciting place to work. I feel like I’m finally getting back to being the real me, if that makes any sense.”

“It makes all the sense in the world,” Liz agreed. “I tell my clients that meaningful work is essential for good mental health.”

“Being a stay-at-home mom is meaningful, too,” I pointed out.