Southern Lights: A Novel

This was straight out of a movie, but it was also a lot of fun. They boiled lobsters for dinner and all helped while the dogs barked, the phones rang, the stereo blared, and the kids’ friends came in and out as though there were a party going on somewhere. Their whole life was a party, and they enjoyed themselves. Sybil was very pretty and about ten years older than Alexa, somewhere around forty-nine or fifty.

It was the funniest and most entertaining evening Alexa had ever had. They all had a great sense of humor, even the kids, who had been friendly, and the parrot spoke only four-letter words.

“She wasn’t quite that zany when I married her,” Edward explained as he took Alexa home. “Brian has kind of brought it out in her, and it works for them. But she was a lot of fun then too. She was a terrible practical joker, and always had a whoopee cushion in her purse. She’s basically just a really wonderful woman.” He smiled lovingly as he said it.

“Do you miss her?” Alexa asked boldly.

“Sometimes,” he said honestly. “But I was a lousy husband. In those days, I wanted politics more than my marriage. She deserved better than that. And she got it with Brian.”

“And now? Do you still want politics more?” She liked him, and he had an interesting life. He was a collection of odd contrasts, the old and the new, the North and the South. His ex-wife said she hated the South. She thought it was hypocritical, antiquated, and uptight. Alexa liked it more than that, but she could see her point, in some circles. Luisa embodied all the worst of the South. But others were shining examples of everything good about it. And there was so much about Charleston Alexa had loved.

“I don’t know,” Edward said in answer to her question. “Politics are still the driving force in my life. But I don’t want just that. At one point I did. I don’t want to wind up alone, but I don’t want to go through all the bullshit you have to go through to wind up with the right person, or maybe the wrong one. I want to wake up married to the right person. But I don’t want to make any effort to get there, or take the risk of making a mistake. Which means, I’ll probably wind up alone.” He laughed. The prospect didn’t seem to disturb him. “I guess I’m lazy.”

“Or scared,” she challenged, and he nodded slowly.

“Maybe,” he admitted. “And you?”

“Teriffied for the last ten years,” she said honestly.

“And now?”

“Maybe thawing out.” She wasn’t sure.

“You have good reason to be scared after what your husband did to you. That was rotten.”

“Yes, it was. I never had any desire to try again with someone else. I thought the risks were too high. I think I feel more relaxed about it now. But I was gun-shy for a long time.”

“Relationships are so damn complicated,” he said gruffly, and she laughed.

“Ain’t that the truth.” And then they talked of other things, until he dropped her off. She thanked him, they shook hands, and his limousine drove off as she walked into her building. He was going back to Washington in the morning.

Predictably, his cell phone rang as the car took him to his hotel. It was Sybil, his ex-wife.

“She’s perfect for you. Marry her immediately” was Sybil’s opening line, and he groaned loudly.

“I knew that would happen if I introduced her to you. Mind your own business. I just met her.”

“Fine. Then give it two weeks and propose. She’s terrific.” Sybil had loved her, and so had Brian.

“You’re nuts, but I love you,” he said happily. He loved his friendship with Sybil, better than he had their married life. It had been more commitment than he wanted then. All he really cared about then was his political life. Sybil knew it, so she made a graceful exit, before Brian came along.

“I love you too,” Sybil said sweetly. “Thanks for bringing her. I really like her. She’s smart and honest and fun and beautiful. You won’t do better than that.” He had done all right with her, but that was a long time ago.

“I’ll let you know how it works out,” he said firmly, with no intention to tell her.

“Goodnight, Eddy,” she said, as he reached the hotel.

“Goodnight, Sybil. Give my love to Brian, and thanks for dinner.”

“Anytime.” And she clicked off. She truly was nuts, but he loved her, in the nicest way.

Edward called Alexa again before she left for Europe, and got her schedule there. He wasn’t sure, but he thought their paths might cross in London or Paris, and he said he’d call her if that was the case. He had to go to Hong Kong first. He seemed to travel constantly. The day before they left for Europe, Alexa attended the sentencing in the Quentin case. Luke Quentin was no longer wearing a suit. He was wearing a jail-issue jumpsuit, as he had in the interrogations. He looked unkempt and angry, and was curt with his attorney and blamed her for his conviction. He was far angrier now at Judy than Alexa. His defense counsel took the brunt of his blame. He ignored Alexa completely, which was a relief.

Jack was there, but Sam wasn’t. He was on another case.