Page 111 of In Sheets of Rain

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Anytime

Ipulled into the driveway and got the shock of my life.

Sean’s car was parked there.

Neal waved out from the back of the garage, boxes and household furniture lay all around him. I gingerly stepped out of the car and smiled.

“I hear congratulations are in order,” I said.

He blinked at me; a look of uneasiness shadowing his eyes.

“The house,” I said in the way of clarification. “Congratulations. It looks nice.”

“Oh,” he said. “Yeah. We’re stoked. Thanks.”

I nodded, shoving my hands in my pockets. My eyes darted to Sean’s car. He was meant to be in Warkworth.

“Um,” I said, feeling awkward. “Is Jody in? I’d like to congratulate her, as well.”

“Of course. Head on in,” Neal said. “Her mum’s in there somewhere. Oh, and, um, so is Sean’s sister.”

His eyes darted to Sean’s car.

Mine followed him.

“OK,” I said. “I’ll make it quick.”

“You don’t have to do that,” Neal offered.

I smiled. I was sure it didn’t reach my eyes.

I walked up the front steps and knocked on the door, but no one answered. Stepping inside, I checked both directions down the hall and noted a figure sleeping on a bed that was familiar.

My heart lurched. Our coffee machine was sitting underneath it. Sean’s sister’s hair hung over the side as she slumbered.

I let a breath of air out, counting to three inside my head, and walked in the other direction.

Jody’s mother greeted me; offered me a cup of coffee. I sat down and waited for Jody to come out of her and Neal’s bedroom.

There was a pair of knitted baby booties on the coffee table.

I stared into my drink.

“Hey,” Jody said. “Sorry about that. I was on the toilet.”

“I didn’t phone first,” I offered.

“That’s all right.”

She sat down on the sofa opposite me. She didn’t have a coffee.

“Congratulations,” I said.

Her hand automatically went to her stomach.

“How did you know?” she asked.