Jack raised Demarco's legs long enough to sit and rest them on his lap. He removed his tie and tossed it to the recliner.
"You can take more than that off if you want." Demarco said. Jack began massaging his feet. "...or not."
"It's good to be home. How are you?"
"I'm fine. A little tired. But it's me that should be rubbing your feet. You're the one that's been gone for—" he looked at the clock, "—fourteen hours?What on Earth?"
"Nothing. Just another of those embassy things. I texted you."
"I think I heard it buzz. But I was half-asleep. "
"Another last-minute soirèe. OT, baby."
Demarco waxed reflective.
"What are you thinking?" Jack asked, suppressing a yawn.
"That it's not even been six months... and it seems much longer."
"Do you miss it?"
"No. Not at all. Well, not the actualwork. Sometimes I miss the glamour—" his eyes twinkled. "—a bit. You know... the secrecy... hobnobbing with the elite. But not half as much as I like having you and Wilson in my life."
"It's been an adjustment—for all of us," Jack said. "But one I'm happy to make... and I think Wilson is too. Is he asleep?"
"Maybe. I don't know. I think embarrassed him earlier."
Jack raised his eyebrows.
"Not intentionally. I bought Kleenex and lotion at the grocery store. He didn't realize they were for him."
"Oh, I see."
"He's fifteen, Jack. Think about it."
Jack did. "Yeah, it's a good call. But I can't imagine my parentseverdoing something like that for me. Or my reaction if they had."
"I was as straightforward and reserved as I could be.Do what you will... we all do... yadda, yadda, yadda... just be private and clean."
"Straightforward yes... reserved?"
Demarco ground his foot into Jack's crotch. "You be quiet. I am a pillar of parenthood."
Jack grunted. He lifted the book from Demarco's chest. "This looks incredibly boring."
"That's why I was asleep."
"You don't have to do this, D." He tossed the book to the coffee table. "We'll figure something out."
"Well, we don't have much time. Roy may have paid the bills, but the advance on the book is dwindling rapidly... and it's not even out yet."
"Let's not talk about money tonight."
"That's probably a good idea. Your dinner is in the microwave. Go warm it up so we can watch this stupid show."
"Oh! So, we got it?"
"Yeah. I was waiting for you to get home."
