“What are you doing this evening?” I ask.
“Well, Sue Anne has Petey, so I’m going to the gym.”
“The gym, huh?” I turn the rearview mirror, look into it, and blot my face.
“Yeah. Gotta stay lean and mean.”
“I don’t think you have a mean bone in your body.”
“That’s because I take out all my aggressions on weight machines.”
“Maybe I should do that,” I say.
“Can’t hurt. Might help.”
I smile. “I like that. When in doubt, go with the ‘can’t hurt, might help’ option.”
“I recommend it.”
“Well, then, maybe I’ll go home and hit the gym. There’s one in our building.”
“Sounds like a plan. You’re always at your best when you’re following a plan.”
“You’re right.” I straighten the mirror and buckle my seat belt. “How did you know that about me?”
“You told me the other day.”
“And you listened. I’m impressed.”
“Are you okay to drive now?”
“Yeah. I feel a lot calmer.”
“Good. Go slow—with the driving, and with everything else. And call me later and let me know how you’re doing, okay?”
“All right.”
“And, Jess? You’ll get to the other side of this, and things will be great.”
I don’t know that I believe him, but I believe that he believes that about me. I hang up and start my car, comforted to have a plan for the immediate future—but even more comforted to have someone in my corner who makes me feel supported.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Zack
I STEP BACKinto the hospital room, feeling conspicuous without Jessica. Everyone looks at me, then glances away, as if trying to help me save face.
“My wife was a little thrown by the news,” I say, shoving my hands in my pockets.
“I imagine so,” says the woman with a little gray in her dark hair—Sarah, I think.
I glance at Quinn. Her face is flushed. She looks embarrassed.
I pull my hands out of my pockets and rub my chin. “It’s a lot to take in.”
Sarah pulls a card out of her purse and crosses the room to hand it to me. “I can recommend some really fine counselors if you and your wife want some help working through this.”
I look at the card.Sarah Merckel, Psychologist, Individual/Family Counseling. “Thanks.” It would be great if Jessica would agree to talk to a professional, but I don’t hold out much hope. I stick the card in my pocket all the same.
