He was quiet then until they’d reached the hot dog vendor. It was a merciful reprieve, though Amanda could feel him expecting some further explanation.
“Can I have two waters, please?” Sebe asked the man, pulling a twenty-dollar bill out of the phone holder strapped to his well-defined bicep.
Amanda wondered what it might be like to be married to a man like Sebe or Kerry: so kind and present and attentive. Being loved, really loved, like that. Amanda knew that Maude was frustrated with Sebe right now, and that Sarah and Kerry had had their issues. But the love between both couples was a thing you could use to steady yourself when the waters got rough. Zach and Amanda’s marriage would never rescue her from anything.
“Thank you,” Amanda said, taking the water from Sebe.
With each swallow, she realized how very thirsty she actually was. Within seconds, she’d finished the entire bottle.
Sebe laughed. “You do know that water is a thing you are supposed to be drinking, right?”
Amanda nodded. “I am dehydrated. You’re right, so stupid,” she said. “I’m sorry that I ruined your run.”
“No, no. You saved me. I promised Maude I would start running. Her father died of a heart attack when he was my age. She livesin fear.” He made a face. “Or maybe she wants to kill me. Either way, I would rather not run, but anything to get back on Maude’s good side.”
Amanda took a deep breath as they continued on toward the Ninth Street exit to the park. “Can I ask you something that’s none of my business?”
“Sure,” Sebe said. “Seeing as I was responsible for you falling.”
“How do you and Maude do it?”
“Do what?” he asked, and it was clear from the wary look on his face that he was worried Amanda meant his and Maude’s unorthodox sex life.
“How can you be angry at each other and stay so, I don’t know, connected?”
Sebe considered this for a moment as they walked on. Darkness was descending quickly around them. “Forgiveness is a side effect of love,” he said finally. And sadly, almost. “If you are going to be married, share the ups and downs of life. What other choice is there?”
“Right,” Amanda said, like this was indeed a thing that was obvious.
They were quiet until they reached Prospect Park West, when Amanda saw two women running together and suddenly remembered: Carolyn.
“Oh, shoot,” Amanda said. “Can you tell me what time it is?”
“Sure.” Sebe pulled his phone out. “It’s eight thirty-nine. Do you need to be somewhere?”
“I was supposed to meet my friend, and she never showed up. I was running home because I was worried about her.”
“Do you want to call?” Sebe offered his phone.
“Oh, yes.” Amanda reached for it. “Wait, I don’t have her number memorized.”
“Ah, damn technology. None of us know anything by heart anymore. Here, wait, a cab.” Sebe raced forward to flag down alime-green sedan. “You take it. I’d better finish my run. Got to pay penance to Maude.” He handed Amanda the change from the water. “Take this for the cab fare. Are you sure you’ll be okay?”
“I’m fine. Thank you so much. For everything.”
Amanda had not fallen asleep when Zach finally got home at 11:45. Late, even for Zach. Not that Amanda had been waiting up for him. It was the conversation she’d had with Carolyn when she got home from the park that was gnawing at her as she lay alone in the dark.
“Are you okay?” Amanda had gasped when Carolyn finally answered the phone. “What happened?”
She’d truly panicked when there’d been no explanatory message waiting for her when she rushed in the house. Her legs had felt shaky as she’d dialed Carolyn’s number. But there her friend was: alive and well. Not only that—Carolyn sounded irritated.
“What happened where?”
“You were supposed to meet me in the park. Remember? Eight p.m.”
“Oh, shit. Sorry.” But there was something nonchalant about it, and Amanda wondered if maybe she hadn’t been planning to show up in the first place. “I forgot.”
That was it. No explanation. No extenuating circumstances.
