"I thought you were at the beach," she said as I came into the kitchen. "Ed, I was just going to have a beer. Want one?" Philip asked, as he stood with the refrigerator door open. "Sure, Philip, that'd be great," I said as I hugged Claire. "Can't sit on the porch, now can we," Claire said as she motioned me toward the living room. "How come you came back early? I thought Marge said you'd be gone all this week. Was it the Gulf or Atlantic this time?" Claire asked. "Neither, although I did stop at St. George on the way home," I said. "Your mother is getting more and more forgetful, Ed." This remark came from Philip. "On the way home from where?" Claire asked. "Mom got it right this time, Philip. I mean, that's what I told her. I was in New Orleans. Gary called last week and asked me to visit him. And he asked me to come home and tell you something." "You went to New Orleans? To see Gary?" Claire seemed surprised but not upset. "Did you see Kristina, too?" "Yes, I saw them both. Claire, Philip." They both looked at me expectantly.
