"Not bad. Solid. She's married to an accountant—in St. Louis, I told you. She has a couple of kids in college. She is Gert's only close relative. Anyway, she's taking care of things. The house goes to her; she's going to sell it right away. She asked me if I'd take care of the place until then, live for free. I said I would."
"I bet it sells fast," Willow said.
"It should. I guess Gert told her about me, so she trusts me."
"It's a good deal for her," Willow said. "Houses are more attractive when they are lived in, and summer is the perfect time to put it on the market."
Patrick stretched. "I've been thinking," he said.
"About what?"
"About what to do next." He took a drink of beer. "I've been thinking about maybe spending some time on the west coast. Where did you say you were going to school?"
"Woodstock University," she said, laughing. "Oh, Patrick, you are such a sweetie."
"Not," Patrick said.
"I have news, too," Willow said. "I was going to invite you to Deanie's and tell you, but I can't wait."