Page 50 of Tempt

“Fine, Mary. And you?” My voice is warm but careful, matching hers.

It’s a dance we’ve done since her daughter died and she blamed me for it.

When my wife got sick, I did the best I could, butbestis a fucked-up word. Having a person you love fall ill when you can’t control any of it feels like you’re walking a tightrope.

Every day, something or someone tries to rip you off it.

Every day you survive, you wake up on the same tightrope, and your only option is to keep moving forward.

“You must be exhausted with the fall semester. It was always the busiest time for both of you.”

A dull ache sets up in my stomach, a bittersweet knot of emotion. “I’ve hired help this year. A nanny.”

“From an agency?”

“She’s a psych student. A friend of a friend.”

A pause. “You have interesting friends.”

There’s nothing overtly threatening about her words, but I’m reminded I can’t trust her.

“It’s been so long since we’ve had Andy for a weekend. We’d love to have him, and it will give you and your nanny a couple nights off.”

“I’ll think about it.”

We finish the pleasantries and I hang up.

When a new text message comes in, it makes my heart speed up in a good way.

Kat: Come home hungry. I’m making dinner.

It’s so normal.

As if last night never happened.

“Shoot! Just missed it.” Andy cries as he finishes his game.

I tuck the phone away. “What do you think. Played enough pinball for one day?”

“Nooo! I don’t want today to end.”

His bright eyes are full of delight, but underneath, I can sense him running out of steam.

“I’m glad you’re having fun. There’s nothing else you want to do before we go home?”

He bounces over to inspect the next game. “McDonald’s!”

“I figured as much. I’ll tell Kat we’ll catch her for dinner another time.”

My kid spins back, at my side in a second. “Wait! What’s she making?”

I pull my phone back out and send off a text.

Daniel: Andy wants to know what you’re making.

Kat: Tell him it goes with ice cream. That’s all he needs to know ;)

I show him the phone, and he reads. Then he belly laughs. “Hilarious. I want to eat what Kat’s making.”

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