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inspiration. How’d you get Pru to finally say yes?”
    “It wasn’t easy, I can tell you that much. And it was even harder to convince her to marry me.”
    “I could see how the whole ‘relationship’ thing with you would be difficult for Pru.  She was really close to Valerie. It had to be hard for you, too, being such a young widower, raising two little girls by yourself. I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you during that period of your life.”
    Richard shrugged, a gesture that usually meant it mattered a lot to him but he wasn’t going to make a big deal about it.
    “Mom and Dad know you’re here? They’re flying in for the party. I told them they didn’t have to but they insisted. They arrive from Los Angeles the day before.”
    “No. I didn’t tell them. I’ll call them. Let me be the one to let them know I’m stateside, okay?”
    Richard nodded. “So, if you aren’t here for the party, what brings you all the way from London?”
    Preston hesitated for a moment. He didn’t want to spoil the moment but he also knew that Richard was persistent and would continue to ask until he told him.
    “Amanda…”
    Richard’s chin dropped to his chest. He closed his eyes for a brief moment and sighed deeply but silently.
    “…That’s why I’m here. I need closure or forgiveness or something. I don’t know what it is that I need. The nightmares have returned. I hardly sleep anymore. And I miss my family, Richie.  I — I just…”
    Richard sat his coffee cup on the table then hugged his brother. “I love you, Baby.  No matter what.”
    Preston’s eyes swelled with tears that he refused to let fall. The outpouring of love and acceptance from Richard was overwhelming and unexpected.
    “Do you have something stronger than coffee? I could use a drink,” Preston asked.
    “I thought you’d never ask.”
    Richard disappeared into the kitchen then returned with a bottle of cognac and two snifters. Why not? It was afternoon somewhere.  Besides, who came up with the rule that alcohol shouldn’t be consumed in the morning? Richard poured a couple shots in each glass.  They saluted each other then threw back the shots.
    “Baby, you’re looking well. Amazing, actually. I mean, the last time I saw you…wow,” Richard began, but couldn’t find the words to express himself. “Now you’re a man — a grown man. Wow. Look at you,” he said incredulously.
    Preston poured himself another drink.
    “Peter will be here,” Richard uttered. He dreaded saying so, but he thought he’d get it out in the open now.
    Preston didn’t respond. He picked up his drink and knocked it back.

4
    Camden had told Iris that Mercury was in retrograde.  In astrology, that meant things were about to go haywire.  It was definitely wreaking havoc in Iris’ life.  Certainly, the most devastating blow was the death of her mother, Jolene.  But she had neither the time nor the inclination to cry about it. As a matter of fact, she thought she’d be relieved, that she’d feel the burden of her mother lifted from her.  She thought she’d finally feel free. Instead, there was a dull aching in her heart like a menacing bout of indigestion. Like a pocket of gas that lingered in one spot refusing to move.  She’d suffered at the hands of her mother nearly all of her life and, now that she was gone, the suffering continued — but in the form of regret, remorse, and guilt.
    It had been seven years since Iris had been back to Cicero where her mother lived — where Iris and her brother spent the latter part of their childhood.  Nothing had changed.  The house was exactly the way it had been when she left — every broken board, missing brick, chipped mortar, and patch of dirt where grass might have grown had it been tended. It was all the same, and it sickened her.
    Mrs. Taliafero from across the street saw Iris standing in front of the house and ran out to greet her, along with her great grandson who toted a large bin.  She’d