“Plus however long dinner takes.”
Tean put down his fork.
“What’s that going to be?Four hours?Five?Did she even think about the fact that we’d have to leave Scipio alone the whole time?”
“Scipio is fine on his own.He just sleeps.”
“Did she think about the fact that we might need to get a dog-sitter?”
“He doesn’t need a dog-sitter.”
“No.That’s the answer: no, she didn’t think about any of that.She just assumed I’d take five, six, seven hours out of my day to go have an intimate family dinner.”
“What if you explain that you’d like to go to dinner, but tomorrow night isn’t good for you?”
“And that’s if it doesn’t snow.Can you imagine what it would be like, trying to get there in a blizzard?Trying to gethome?Sometimes people are stuck in their cars for ten, twelve hours.”Jem’s plate was empty now.He made his way around the breakfast bar and dropped it in the sink, and the clatter made Scipio jerk his head.“Scipio can’t hold it that long!”
Tean took a slow breath.“It sounds like you don’t want to go.”
“I didn’t say that!”
“Okay, I know, but—”
“I’m saying she’s inconsiderate.She didn’t even think about—” Me, Jem almost said.She didn’t think aboutme.“—about any of that.And I’m supposed to drop everything for this stupid dinner.”
Tean’s mouth was an unhappy line.Somehow, his eyebrows looked bushier than ever, and behind the glasses, the hollows around his eyes were bruised.Scipio stood watching them, head down, shoulders hunched.
“I just—” Jem realized he was still holding a napkin.He wadded it up and threw it in the trash can.“It feels like a lot.”
Tean nodded.
“I’m sorry I yelled.”
“Jem, itisa lot.Emotions are complicated.Of course you’re feeling conflicted.”
Which was a lot to take in from Teancum Leon, considering nowadays Jem didn’t know when he came home if he’d find Tean trying to cover up signs that he’d been crying or lying in total silence on the couch or—one time—shouting at Scipio.Considering he lost his shit when Daniel called, when anybody could tell the kid just wanted somebody to hold on to.Considering his parents were getting divorced, and he’d hung up on his mom, and he’d snapped that door shut as soon as he opened it.Considering Jem didn’t have any idea these days what Tean was going to do.
“Yeah.”Jem gave an unhappy laugh.“I guess I should just feel my feelings.”
The curve of Tean’s mouth deepened.
“God,” Jem said.“That was shitty.I didn’t mean that.”
“It’s okay.”
“I know you’re trying to help.”He waited, like something better might come to mind.When it didn’t, he rubbed Scipio’s ears.“I’m going to rinse off.”
Tean nodded, and Jem retreated to the bathroom.
He showered.And after the shower, in a fresh pair of boxers and a clean tee, he climbed into bed and stared at his phone.This would have been a great time to zonk out withCandy CrushorWizard Cheeseburger 3, but instead, he opened his mail.
Nothing.
Spam, sure.
But nothing.
No responses.Not even rejections.Ten applications every day.Ten minimum.And his inbox was still this big gaping nothing.
