Page 42 of The Housekeeper

“You take off the second a client summons. You assume I’ll drop whatever I’m doing to look after the kids,” he continued, as if I hadn’t spoken. “So, in addition to my teaching, I’m expected to be at their beck and call when I’m home, which you know is the time I need for writing. It’s almost like you’re trying to punish me.”

“That’s ridiculous. I’m not trying to punish you.”

“It sure feels like it. What is it, Jodi? Are you jealous?”

“Jealous? Of what?”

“You tell me.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said.

He sighed. “Look. Let’s just drop it. Okay? It’s late. We’re tired. And we’re not going to solve anything by going around in circles. There’s just one more week of classes, and then mycourse will be over. You think you can tough it out for one more week?”

“I honestly don’t have a problem…” I started, then stopped. He was right. We weren’t going to solve anything by going around in circles. “Okay,” I said. “I guess I can try scheduling my appointments so that I’m home more.”

“That would be great,” he said. “Oh, and I’ve been meaning to tell you. I’ve been asked to attend a writers’ workshop this weekend in Prince Edward County.”

“This weekend? Prince Edward County?” I repeated, although I’d heard him perfectly well. Prince Edward County was prime cottage country, about a four-hour drive from Toronto. “When did this happen?”

“About a month ago. I kept meaning to mention it, but you were always in a mood, and it never seemed like the right time to bring it up.”

“What kind of writers’ workshop?” I asked, mostly to keep from asking,What do you mean, I was always in a mood?

“More or less an extension of what I’ve been doing all summer. Teach a few classes, give a few lectures, sit on a panel. I’ll leave Friday afternoon, right after the closing luncheon. Be back late Sunday night.”

“So, you accepted?”

“Is that a problem?”

“I guess not.” I decided not to bother asking whether the kids and I could tag along, since it was obvious what the answer would be. “It would have been nice to have a little more notice, that’s all.”

“Now you know how it feels,” he said, giving me a light peck on the forehead. “It’s late,” he said again, flopping over on his side, facing the far wall. “I have a very busy week ahead of me.”

I lay there, my eyes wide open, my body vibrating with frustration, staring at the ceiling and praying for a sleep that never came.A is for Adam,I began silently.B is for Bill…C is for Chandler…D is for Daniel…E is for Eric…