Alex took Courtney’s arm, his expression soft. “Hey, would you like to get dinner? We can catch up. Julia can take your car back to the motel, and I’ll give you a ride home.”
“Sounds great,” Courtney answered, with a shaky smile.
21
Back at the motel room, Julia turned on the light, shed her jacket and bag, and flopped onto the bed, thinking about Courtney. She felt terrible for what Courtney was going through and she knew that her friend’s grief had to be complicated by what was learned today, about Samuel stalking her grandmother. Julia slid her phone from her pocket and texted Courtney: Wake me when you get back. Adjoining door’s unlocked. Love you. She pressed Send, and her next thought was of Gianluca. He was a night owl, so it wasn’t too late to call home.
Julia called, and he answered on one ring. “Honey, how are you guys?”
“Okay, hold on. Let me leave the room a minute. She’s asleep in our bed.”
“Not in her room?”
“Not for the time being. She doesn’t sleep as well there.”
Julia felt a guilty twinge, familiar by now. “Is she okay?”
“She’s still wetting the bed. My mother thinks it could be a bacterial infection, so I made an appointment. I couldn’t get Dr. Isabella, but I got her partner.”
“Oh, Jeez.”
“You don’t think I should be taking her?”
“No, it’s a good idea, it makes sense. I’m just sad I’m not there. She’s never been to the pediatrician without me.”
“I have her, don’t worry. I’m leaving work early.”
“So she’s not sleeping that well?”
“No, she’s still worried about you, from that night with my parents.”
“Did you ask her if she overheard them?”
“Yes, and she said no. But I doubt she understood the question.”
“What did you say to her?”
“I said, ‘Did you hear Nonna and Nonno talking about Mommy last night after dinner?’ She said no, but Julia, she doesn’t understand ‘last night after dinner.’ She misses you.” Gianluca hesitated. “Tonight when I was reading to her, she started crying. She only wanted to read the one book, your favorite. The Sendak,Where the Wild Things Are.”
“Aw, we love that book.” Julia felt a tug at her heart.
“You talked to her about it?” Gianluca asked, his tone sharper, which Julia didn’t understand.
“Of course, why?”
“She says that wild child is her friend. I think she made her up to take your place. Obviously she misses talking to you, especially at bedtime.”
“What do you mean, her friend?” Julia blinked. “You mean, an imaginary friend?”
“Yes, I think so.”
“Since when does she have an imaginary friend?”
“Since you went away, I assume. I’m going to ask the doctor about it, too.” Gianluca paused. “I don’t like it in connection with the bedwetting and the sleeplessness.”
Julia didn’t like it, either. “Does she talk to the friend?”
“Yes, a little. She whispers to her.”