Chapter 16: The Cane

Giles's POV

I had my hand on Dean's collar before I decided to.

He had stood up off the stoop with the lilies, and he was smiling, and the smile said he wanted me to do it.

Tillie put two fingers on my sleeve.

I let go.

"Your mother is where?" Tillie said.

"Around the corner, in the cab," Dean said. "She came up from Ohio on her own ticket. I was told to carry this until she saw me hand it over."

He lifted Carol's cane an inch off his knees.

"What do you want, Dean?"

"Her." He looked at Tillie. "I want to show you I changed."

"You've been in Boston for a day and a half."

"It's a start."

A yellow cab turned the corner and stopped at the curb with its hazards on.

The back door opened, and a thin white-haired woman swung her legs out with both hands on the seat.

Carol Kittredge stood up by herself.

She was wearing her good wool coat and a small hat, and she didn't use the cane.

Tillie was across the sidewalk before I could stop her.

"Carol, you shouldn't have flown."

"I've flown to funerals on worse knees. Let me look at you."

Carol held her at arm's length, then hugged her.

Over Tillie's shoulder she looked at me, and her mouth moved in something close to a smile.

"Mr. Archbold."

"Mrs. Kittredge."

"I'd say Giles, but I'd like you to think about how you earn it."

Dean stepped between us, holding the lilies.

"Mom, I told you I'd bring it up."

"I know what you told me."

Carol took the cane from him and tapped his shin with the rubber tip, once, lightly.

"You'll carry it to dinner tomorrow. Your boss's boss invited me."

Dean went pale.

"Mom. That's a work dinner."

"I'm told your firm and Giles's firm share a table. I'd like to hear what my son has been saying to people."

"Mom."

"I've nursed you, I've fed you, I raised you to be a gentleman. If I raised you wrong, I'll watch it in public."

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