Warren walked in wearing linen shorts, a polo shirt, and the obnoxious smart glasses. I wondered if he was recording me, then I decided why would he?
"Isabel." He clocked Lily and Josh. "Hey, guys." Then he offered me a smirk. "Hope you enjoyed your time off."
"I'm still in the pool."
No one heard me.
"Dad," Josh said with a grin. "Are you taking me to soccer after all?"
"No can do, kiddo. Too much going on at the office. I stopped by to get the pump for my e-bike."
Josh struggled to hide his disappointment and my heart cracked for him. "That's okay, Mom can take me."
"Yeah, Mom's back," Lily added with relief.
I picked up a spoon and clanged it against a glass. It wasn't crystal, so the effect wasn't the same, but it got everyone's attention.
"I'm still in the jury pool," I said, at a normal volume this time. "I go back Monday for more questioning. It is not over."
Warren's smirk evaporated. "What kind of trial is this?"
"I'm not allowed to discuss it."
"What do you mean you're not—"
"Not. Allowed. To discuss it." I met his gaze. "That's what 'not allowed' means."
He didn't love that. His jaw shifted the way it does when he's recalculating. He jerked his thumb toward the garage. "I'm going to get my bike pump."
I followed him and kept my voice low. "I could use your help with the kids today."
"Isabel, I have a job." He spread his hands, the universal gesture of a man explaining something he considers obvious. "I'm currently supporting two households."
I bit down hard on my tongue. "That's what you signed up for."
He walked through the connecting door into the garage, then reappeared with the pump under his arm. He walked past me without looking at me, then waved to the kids.
"Love ya both!"
I followed him to the front door and crossed my arms. "Next time, please ring the doorbell before you walk into my house."
He looked at me with an expression of contempt.
"And you wonder why I left," he said, then walked out and closed the door with considerable feeling.
I felt both of the kids' eyes land on me.
"Way to go, Mom," Lily said, then flounced up the stairs.
"This is our house, too!" Josh bellowed, following her to bound up the stairs heavily.
I closed my eyes and blinked back sudden tears. At the sound of Tucker's whine, my eyes popped open. I looked down to see him staring at me, head cocked.
"You too?" I asked.
It was official: In my family's eyes, I couldn't do anything right.
July 12, Sunday
