Page 18 of David

“David Moore.”

“Yes. Why?”

“You know him?”

A moment passes.

“As in… Am I having a slice of pizza and a beer with him every Friday? No.”

I smile.

“You know what I mean…”

“I know what you mean. I saw his pictures online. He’s a looking man. I’m not surprised she fell for him.”

“She didn’t fall for him. She needed his money.”

“Um…” she says, unconvinced.

“Trust me, I know what I’m talking about. I’ve never seen a more obsessed woman with her man. And I’m talking about James Sexton here.”

“I can’t deny that, but David Moore played a major role in her life by throwing her a lifeline. She would’ve never gotten back with James if it wasn’t for David. I don’t think so. She was too young when she met James.”

“And you know that how?”

“I don’t. I’m just older and can form an opinion on anything. I can also read between the lines.”

“You only read the book.”

“Everybody in this town read the book. You read it three times.”

“Five. But who’s counting?”

“And you didn’t grasp that?”

“Maybe I did.”

I’m not sure I’ve grasped anything of that nature.

How could she be with this man and not feel excruciating pain when she said goodbye to him? Regardless of the circumstances?

Something doesn’t add up.

David Moore was the lifeline that she needed. He was also a swift way to get back at James. Arguably, she was in a rebound relationship, but who has a rebound relationship with someone like him?

“Maybe you did? Or maybe you didn’t?” my mother says, questioning my grasping capabilities.

“I just had an exchange with the man,” I say abruptly, and her silence is more than telling.

“Where? At the coffee shop?” she asks incredulously.

“Yes. He was buying coffee and, um… He ordered cookies for me.”

“What?”

“Yeah. Long story. I didn’t know who he was. The girl at the counter told me his name. I was wondering if you knew more about him. Or had heard stuff about him.”

“Did he say something to you?”

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