He talked about a project he was planning at work, then asked Grandma how she felt about teaching a fall class.

She told him she might, provided it didn’t interfere with her card games.

Later, while I washed dishes, he came into the kitchen carrying the empty cake plate.

“Do you still think about the wedding?” he asked.

“Sometimes.”

“Me too.” He set the plate down.

“I think I will for a while.”

“I’m sorry,” I said.