Page 35 of Everything We Give

“Stop making a mess.” Ian grabbed a shoe box. Jackie yanked it from him. She peered inside and laughed. “You’re such an idiot.” She held up a set of keys and shook them in Ian’s face.

Ian’s stomach turned over. It looked like they were going for a ride.

Jackie pocketed the keys. “Where does your dad keep his guns?”

Ian made a strangled noise in the back of his throat. He lurched back. Jackie grabbed his wrist.

“Speak up.” She gave his arm a sharp tug.

“He—he doesn’t have any guns,” he said, trying not to piss his pants.

“Seriously?” she scoffed. “I know he has them, so you don’t have to lie. Where are they?”

Ian clenched his jaw and locked his knees. He still shook like a high-strung mutt and hoped Jackie didn’t notice.

She bitch-slapped his temple. “Don’t be a shit, Ian. Tell me.”

Ian clutched his head. “No.”

“God, you’re a pain. Fine, whatever.” She pushed him away from her. “Where’d you put my money?”

“It’s not your money.” Ian rubbed his wrist. “Where’re you going?”

“None of your business.” Jackie searched the purses, coming up empty. “What’s the date?” she asked again.

“Why do you care?”

She snatched a metal nail file from the vanity table and held it against her wrist. “Tell me the date or I’ll make your precious mommy bleed all over the carpet.”

“July tenth,” Ian divulged, too scared not to answer.

“Shit.” She tossed the file and lapped the room, her hand in her pocket jangling the keys. “He’s moved again. Shit, shit, shit.” She roughly gripped her hair, stretching the skin on her forehead. “Is there still time?” She peered through the window curtains. “It’s still light. OK, OK, OK. There’s time. He’ll come.”

Ian frowned, not sure of what he heard. “Time for what? Who’ll come? Dad?”

“Screw your dad.” She pivoted from the window and sneered. “He’s out of town again, isn’t he?” She crossed the room and got into his face. “Do you miss your daddy?” she asked in a baby voice.

His dad was photographing the Padres game against the Cardinals. Yeah, he missed him, but he wasn’t going to let Jackie in on that secret. Hoping to distract her from asking about his dad, he moved the camera between them and snapped a photo. The lightbulb flashed, temporarily blinding her.

Jackie lunged for him. Ian dodged under her arm. He leaped on the bed and slid across, landing on the other side. But Jackie didn’t go after him. She ran from the room, slamming the door behind her.

Jackie was taking his mom away from him.

Ian raced after her, skidding to a halt on the front porch. The station wagon arrowed down the driveway, kicking up a cloud of dust.

He’d been left alone again.

Slowly, feet dragging, he returned inside the house.

It looked like he’d be eating cereal for dinner. Again.

CHAPTER 10

AIMEE

Ian and I have been married for more than five years. I’m used to the way he carefully selects the next destination for one of his photo expeditions. I’ve watched him meticulously research the area, its culture and weather patterns, the natives’ customs. By the time he arrives, he knows exactly the types of photos he wants to capture. But this suddenness to get to Spain when he wasn’t planning to leave until next week is completely out of character for him. He’s talking about James one second, his mom the next, and then tells me he’s leaving for Spain within three hours. And somehow the three of these things—my relationship with James, Ian seeking closure with Sarah, and hisNational Geographicassignment—are all connected.

To say I’m baffled is an understatement.

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