The
rhythm of life established itself upon the Simpson women with a nearly cheerful
insistence. Lisa adapted – it was her
only choice. She went to school, brought
home straight A’s, participated in the orchestra, and immersed herself in
baroque culture when she could.
She was
all right. She convinced herself of
this.
***
Eventually,
a single fact penetrated Lisa’s numbness – her mother was HAPPY. She didn’t cry at night anymore, and her
cheerfulness seemed genuine. She tried
desperately to be Lisa’s constant companion and best friend, but Lisa only
wanted distance between them.
It was a
respectful but icy distance.
Only
Maggie remained unchanged, biddable and cooing in her simple world.
***
It was
the summer that broke her heart. School,
her ballast, was removed, and a clingy Allison tried to spend every waking
moment at the Simpson home. The grass
was rust-colored, and the sky was an ugly shade of green. Everything felt wrong – nothing would ever be
the same again. It twisted her insides
and made her feel groundless.
She sat under
“her” peach tree, reading a copy of the collected works of Tolstoy, thinking
about the silent change of the seasons and wondering at the unfairness of
nature.
That was
when she heard it.
A
pleased giggle coming from the living room.
“…Oh, I
guess…I don’t know…I’ll meet you for coffee…I can’t leave the girls
alone…”
Lisa’s
jaw dropped.
Her
mother was in the process of making a <I>Date!</i>