Page 28 of Soft Rebound

Don’t be a stranger, okay?

Liz: Okay

Joe: Fair warning. I will text you sometimes and might even suggest we get together

Don’t bite my head off when I do

Liz: No promises

Joe: Goodnight then, Vikings fan with whom I shared a pitcher of beer today

Liz: You too, world’s most patient serial killer

?

Chapter Seven

Joe

The following week, Lance asks if we can have a video call. I say sure, and we schedule a time during lunch break.

“This is weird, man,” I say when we finally manage to connect, and everyone’s cameras and microphones are finally on. He looks tired and a little puffy, but it could just be the lighting. “You know I would’ve happily come to see you in person. It’s not like Milwaukee is radioactive.”

He chuckles, but seems serious underneath, almost sad. “Yeah, I know. A lot is going on. It’s not a good time.”

I straighten in my chair. “Okay then. You wanted to talk.”

“Sorry I stood you up last week. It really wasn’t planned. The kid got sick.”

“Not a problem at all.” I smile. “I ended up spending a very pleasant evening with someone else instead, so it all worked out well.”

He seems relieved. “Oh, yeah?”

“Yeah. So tell me what’s up.”

Lance takes a big breath. “Well, apart from my desire to watch the Vikings for once without sticky little fingers pulling at me, the reason I wanted to see you was that I had some news.” When my eyebrows shoot up, he continues. “It’s about Kim.”

My mood instantly darkens, but my curiosity is piqued. “Oh-kay?”

“She’s engaged.”

Kim’s engaged.

What the fuck?

Kim’s engaged?

Somehow I manage to respond in an almost reasonable tone. “Good for Kim. Who’s the lucky guy?”

“You don’t know him. It’s a guy from her work. Apparently she met him after you were already divorced. He’s a good guy, Joe. They’re good together.”

I hadn’t even noticed my hands have balled into fists in my lap. Lance can’t see them, and for the first time today, I’m thankful we’re videoconferencing and not meeting in person.

I could stab myself in the leg with scissors, and he wouldn’t know. Why my mind goes there at this moment, I do not know.

I focus on my breath and school my features. “Good,” I say. “Thanks for telling me. Give my best to the happy couple.”

“I thought you should know,” Lance says.