Two weeks passed without a decision.
Graham kept working. He went to Clara's school meeting and stayed through the whole thing. He visited our apartment for dinner twice. He called Mom most evenings. None of it answered the question of whether he would make a life with us or only visit the edges of one.
Margaret didn't call. She sent a letter to Graham, which he showed to Mom before he answered it.
The letter was short. It said the board would reconsider his appointment if he agreed to keep his personal life private and accept the travel schedule. It did not mention Mom by name.
Mom read it at our kitchen table.
"I don't want this to turn into a contest," she said.
"It already is one," Clara replied.
"Not between me and your aunt."
"Then what is it between?"
Mom folded the letter.
