Page 94 of Jael

“He didn’t actually say that.”

“Pretty much.”

“You should have slapped him.”

“I should have. Instead, I pretended to be hurt and asked him to abstain if he could manage it.”

“That’s very gracious of you,” Danny said.

“I would encourage him to do what he liked if I didn’t think it would make him suspicious.”

“I’m sorry you have to do this.”

“You know my story. You know I’ve suffered through worse. I’ll get through this too. And, you know, it’s the first time in my life I’ve actually felt like I’m the one in control.”

“But it’s a gem you have to dig deep for.”

“At least it’s something.”

“Okay, well, I was just making sure you were safe. You can go have that scalding shower now.”

“You want to come in?” she said too fast.

“Right now?”

“I act tough, but I wouldn’t mind some company to get my mind off what just happened.”

“I don’t think I should.”

“Why not? We’re both adults, and it’s not like anything’s going to happen.”

“Uh, yeah. Okay. Just for a few minutes.”

“Thank you.”

She hung up but caught herself smiling and shook it off. She’d invited him in to get Christopher out of her head. That was all. They’d talk for a bit, then he’d leave.

But when she opened the door, and he was standing there with a dopy grin on his face, her stomach jumped anyway.

“Come in,” she said and then led him to the kitchen.

“Why was Cinderella so bad at soccer?” he said as he followed.

“What?”

“Cinderella. Why was she so bad at soccer?”

“I don’t understand.”

“You’re supposed to say, ‘Why?’”

She huffed, then said, “Why?”

“Because she kept running away from the ball.” He raised his eyebrows, but when she didn’t laugh, he frowned. “Not funny?”

“That was supposed to be a joke?”

“Ouch. Okay, what about this? What do you call a snowman in the spring?”

---