Page 78 of Worst in Show

I sigh. “Mom?”

“Sorry, we’re packing up here in Montana. We’ll be driving through Yellowstone and Grand Teton the next few days with a stop to visit with friends we met in Florida a couple of years ago, so I thought I’d give you a call to say Happy Halloween and happy early birthday. I’m not sure where we’ll be on Wednesday, so this seemed easier.”

“My birthday is next Wednesday, but okay…” You’d think with only one kid she’d know when my birthday is. But maybe it’s hard to keep track of the days when you’re on the road.

She disappears again. “No, the other one. Martin—the one to the left. The other pillow is too soft.”

I glance toward Leo and make a spinning motion with my finger indicating the conversation is dragging on.

No worries, he mouths.

“Coralynn, are you still there?” Mom asks, as if I’m the one having two conversations at once.

“I’m here.”

“We’ll owe you a present when we see you next. I didn’t have time to ship anything.”

“Or you could transfer some money instead.” I say the words quickly, both hoping and not hoping she’ll hear them.

Mom scoffs. “Where’s the fun in that?”

“I suppose.”

Leo shoves his hands deep into his pockets. He must be freezing.

“Was there anything else, Mom? I’ve got to go.”

“No, no, that’s it. Dad says hi.”

“Hi to Dad. Drive safely.”

“Always do.”

We hang up, and I put the phone away. “Sorry. Parents.”

“You don’t have to tell me.”

“So…” I stand up.

“So.”

His hair is still messy, and the tip of his nose glints in the streetlight. For a long while, neither of us speak. The sparkling tension from earlier has solidified into a concrete block, awkward and rigid. It sits between us like an obstacle we have yet to figure out how to scale.

“Micki and the others are probably waiting for you,” Leo says, eventually. “I think maybe you should join them.”

My teeth let go of my lip. “And you?”

“I’m going to head home.”

I nod slowly. “Oh, your jacket.” I start shrugging it off.

Leo puts a hand up. “No, keep it. You need it more than I do. Maybe you give it back tomorrow?” A tinge of hope tilts up the last syllable.

I know what he’s really asking. Will we move past this? The truth is, I need to think.

“I’ll make sure you get it,” I say. It’s the best I can do in the moment.

“Where did Leo go?” Micki asks, when I’ve elbowed my way to their table in the tent.

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