Page 71 of Two Friends in Marriage
Once again, I head to the basement for my workout, then start the coffeemaker before my shower.After my shower, I take my coffee out to the patio.When I glance back, I half expect Watson to be wearing a different outfit, even though Evan is out of town.
Of course, Watson looks exactly the same as he did yesterday morning.
I rub my wedding band.I miss my husband a lot more than I should, considering he’s been gone just over twenty-four hours, and I texted with him yesterday evening for twenty minutes.But I can’t help missing all the ways he makes my life better.
After work, I decide to go for a walk and check the mail.Since there’s nothing in our mailbox, it’s a bit anticlimactic, but on the way back, I see Deena and Skylar on their driveway.Skylar is skipping.I lift up a hand in greeting, intending to keep walking, but then I figure…I can talk to them, right?
I come to a stop at the base of the driveway.“Hey!”My voice sounds unnaturally high.“I, um, wanted to check in and see how your father’s doing.”
Deena approaches me.“His surgery is scheduled for next month.”
“Oh, that’s good to hear.”
“It’s a struggle to make sure he follows all of the doctor’s advice, though.”
We talk for a few minutes, and Skylar shows me how she can skip with her arms crossed.She’s in the middle of demonstrating her backward-skipping skills when my attention is distracted by a familiar Camry.
“Sorry,” I say, “my mother-in-law just drove up.”I dash over to the car as Lynne gets out of the driver’s seat.Howie emerges from the passenger’s side with a few bags in hand.
“Hi, Jane!”he says with a smile.
“Evan’s not home.He’s on a work trip to Montreal.”
“We know.We thought we’d stop by with food so you don’t have to cook for yourself.”
As I unlock the front door and usher them inside, I struggle to wrap my head around those words.They came to visitme?
“We wanted to text you,” Lynne says, “but we don’t have your number.I asked Evan, but he hasn’t replied—he’s probably busy.If you want us to go—”
“No, no, you can come in.”I feel like I ought to be a good host.At least the house is reasonably clean.
I head to the kitchen and put away the food, which is more than enough for two days.This is what I wanted, right?To feel like part of a family.
“Do you know how Evan’s trip is going?”Howie asks.
“I talked to him last night.”I start boiling water for tea and place some of the things they brought onto a plate.“His flight out was fine, and the work stuff…” We didn’t talk about that much.“It seems to be going well.”
“You could have gone with him,” Lynne says.“Or traveled out on Friday.Spent the weekend in Montreal.”
“You promised Evan you wouldn’t bring it up again,” Howie says.
“Did I say ‘honeymoon’?No, I did not.”
Oh my God.This again?
“My dad is visiting tomorrow evening,” I say.It’s the truth—and a good excuse.
“He’s coming from Calgary to see you?”Lynne asks.
“Yes.Well, he’s coming for work, and he’s visiting me for dinner afterward.”
Howie and Lynne exchange a look.
“Evan booked his flight so he’ll be home for dinner,” I say.“They’ll finally be able to meet.”
Lynne turns to me.“Is your father the reason you got married?”
I frown and reach for a pastry.“What do you mean?Why would I get married because of my dad?He didn’t even come to the wedding.”
