Page 24 of Keep Quiet

“I mean, it’s not easy being an empty-nester. Jamie’s already on antidepressants. It’s just sad. It’s a loss. I know you feel the same way, honey.”

“I do.” Jake knew she said it out of a sense of parity. “Anyway, as far as this alleged date goes, I got the impression that something about it bummed him out.”

“What?”

“Two possibilities. Either he asked her out and she said no, or she said yes, but now he can’t go because he’s sick.”

“Oh no.” Pam’s shoulders fell. “That sucks. I hope she didn’t reject him, but either way, he can’t go out tonight.”

“Agree.”

Pam shook her head. “What a shame.”

“The course of true love never did run smooth.”

“Was he studying when you went up there?”

“I think he was trying to, but cut him a break, he’s sick.”

“That reminds me.” Pam looked over, suddenly businesslike. “You know we have that Eldercare Services dinner tonight, that benefit? I have to go. I can’t get out of it, they’re giving me some kind of award. Can you stay home with him?”

Jake hesitated, for show. “Sure.”

“I think you should. If he keeps throwing up, he’s going to get dehydrated, and I think we need to keep an eye on him.”

“Fine, right. What time do you think you’ll be home?”

“Late. I speak after dinner, and that’s when they present the award, so I’ll be there ’til the bitter end. Probably be home around midnight. Call me if he takes a bad turn, so will you?”

“Of course. Hopefully, he can get some sleep. I wouldn’t mind taking it easy tonight, myself. I started the day off with a bang, after all.”

Pam looked over. “So you have a good excuse for missing the rubber chicken.”

“I don’t mind the rubber chicken. It’s the weird black rice I hate.”

“That’s wild rice, and it’s classy.”

“Rice gone wild?”

Pam smiled. “Exactly.”

“Yuck. I like my girls wild and my rice tame. Is that so much to ask?”

Pam laughed, and Jake felt his heart lift. She had a great laugh, and he loved to make her laugh. He loved her, and he would lose her if she knew what he had done to Kathleen, and their son.

“So fill me in on the schedule,” Jake said, because he had some planning to do. “What time do you have to leave for your gig?”

“It’s at the Wyndham downtown, but there’s a VIP reception before the dinner, so I have to be there by five.” Pam glanced at the dashboard clock, which read 11:15. “I have to leave the house by three thirty, just to be sure. What are you going to do today?”

Jake had to think of a lie, because the truth was appalling. “Work.”

“You’re not going into the office, I hope?”

“No.”

“You’re not feeling too good, are you?” Pam patted his leg, and though Jake felt the softness of her touch, it gave him no comfort. He turned back to the window. After putting on a false front for the Wawa employees, the cop, and Ryan, he was running out of energy to put one on for Pam. He couldn’t wait to be alone, apart from her and anybody else, so he didn’t have to pretend anything anymore, so he could let the grief and guilt come.

“I’m just tired, is all,” Jake told her.