The Wrong Wife

“No trouble that I’m aware of,” Ben said as he followed his mother and Phil into the living room, where they sat down. He stretched his legs in front of him and slouched on the back of his neck.

“You look awfully grumpy,” said his mother. “Surely she didn’t dump you quite that soon.”

“She didn’t dump me because she hadn’t taken me,” Ben said. “Frankly, I don’t know what went on tonight either, except that she warned me she’s not at ease with people. At school she was an outsider—far outside. In high school there’s always somebody who’s considered weird, who bears the brunt of the jokes and the snickers and the innuendo. She was that somebody.”

“I certainly hope you didn’t join in,” Elizabeth said.

Ben shook his head. “No, but I didn’t do much to interfere either. Hell, Mom, she was four years younger. In high school that’s practically a generation. I mean, we grew up as neighbors, but we weren’t ever close. She’s much nearer Steve’s age.”

“And your brother was off at military school,” Elizabeth said with a touch of sadness. “He’s never really been home since the eighth grade.”

“You did what you had to do. Don’t blame yourself.”

“Maybe if I’d been a better mother…”

“Since your younger son has turned from a blossoming juvenile delinquent into a model citizen, you apparently did the right thing,” Phil added. “Actually, Ben, it’s not surprising that Annabelle is a bit dysfunctional, growing up as she did in that mausoleum with Mrs. Langley trying to convince her she was a bad seed. Maybe she should have stayed in New York.”

“No, she shouldn’t have!” Ben said with such vehemence that both the others stared at him. He stammered, “I—I mean, she’s got to face this town if she’s going to move from dysfunctional to functional.”

“She functions perfectly well when she’s working,” Elizabeth said.

“She needs to be at ease with people, learn to handle sticky social situations, entertain graciously…”

“Oh my God,” Elizabeth said, and sank back against the cushion of the peach sofa as though she’d been slugged. “Not Annabelle? Ben, I know what I said, but I never dreamed it would be Annabelle’s name on that arrow.”