"Look," Dean said. "I'm not your father confessor. Cynthia was right. This stuff isn't any of our business."
"Yeah, I'm sorry to unload on you. We'll be out of your hair after the weekend." Then he added, "God knows where Edith will go after it's over."
"After what's over?"
Ryland looked even more depressed. "She still wants me to help her get her abortion. I told her I'd take her to Grand Junction on Monday morning. She can't wait any longer, with Shipton poking around town. But that's all I told her I'd do-just drive her there." He rose and poured himself a cup of coffee. "Don't say it. I know I was stupid to get further involved, but damned, she's an obsessive woman. God knows what I'll tell Fran! She'll think the child is mine!" Neither said anything while Dean began to clear the dishwasher from last evening's meal. But Ryland couldn't stand the silence.
"She's upstairs now, pissed at me from not agreeing to hold her hand while they-do it. But, God, I have a life, too."
"Did she leave Donnie alone last night?"
"Yeah. I thought he was in with you, like the other night. She must have been desperate to make him sleep on his own. Damn good thing he didn't wake up." Then he added, "I'm going to miss the kid. He's really something." He rubbed his five o'clock shadow and rose. "If I'm going to get any ice climbing done, I better get moving."
Dean began to shuttle back and forth to the dining room, helping Cynthia. Janet arrived, mumbling apologies as the guests began coming downstairs to breakfast. Claire and Effie Quincy led the parade to the table. Dean pulled Janet aside and asked if she had let any strangers into Bird Song the prior afternoon. She just grunted that all the men looked alike to her and she didn't pay 'no heed.' Too busy doing her work, she added. Dean continued to wonder about the strange event. Was Edith's vivid imagination working overtime or had Jerome Shipton managed to slip by Janet O'Brien and invade his wife's room? If so, for what purpose? Like a dog pissing on a tree to mark his territory?
Two of the young ice climber descended the stairs and began gathering their suitcases and gear piled by the door.
"How come you guys are leaving?" Dean asked. "You've paid in advance. Is there something wrong?"
"No. It's great here. We're going to miss it but the guy that's bunking with the fat lady just 'bought' our room." Jeff gave Dean a smile as big as a full moon.