Chapter 3 — The Summer Margaret Was Supposed to Leave Riverton
Margaret had met David Hale in 1996.
She was thirty-four.
Already a nurse.
Recently divorced.
And absolutely certain she would never become seriously involved with anyone again.
David ruined that plan within six months.
He was an architectural draftsman working temporarily in Riverton.
Funny.
Patient.
And completely unimpressed by Margaret’s attempts to pretend she wasn’t interested.
They became inseparable.
Robert disliked the relationship.
Not because David treated Margaret badly.
Because David had accepted a permanent position in Seattle.
And Margaret considered going with him.
Robert could not understand it.
Margaret had spent her entire life near Riverton.
Helen lived ten minutes away.
Her brother lived nearby.
Her nursing career was established.
Then suddenly she was talking about moving across the country.
“Dad thought I was throwing my life away,” Margaret said.
Robert remained silent.
David looked toward him.
“He told me that directly.”
Margaret nodded.
But she had still planned to go.
David’s Seattle job began September 1, 1999.
They agreed Margaret would join him several weeks later after completing her notice at the hospital.
Then came their final weekend together.
They planned to meet Sunday morning at Miller’s Café.
David would give Margaret his new address.
They would finalize travel plans.
Margaret arrived at 8:00.
David never came.
She waited until nearly 11:00.
Then called his apartment.
No answer.
By evening, he was gone.
His landlord said David had returned the keys early that morning.
Margaret tried his new office in Seattle.
They had no direct number for him yet.
Several days later, Robert came to her house.
He told Margaret something that ended everything.
“David stopped by before he left.”
Margaret looked toward Robert now.
“You said he told you he wasn’t ready for me to come.”
Robert closed his eyes.
Helen stared at her husband.
“Robert?”
Margaret continued.
“You told me David decided he wanted to start Seattle alone.”
David looked stunned.
“I never said that.”
Margaret turned toward him.
“Then why didn’t you come to the café?”
David answered immediately.
“Because your father told me you didn’t want me there.”