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“I can’t believe a little tiny thing with feet that small can actually walk!” Prosper marveled when Raine started teetering towards him.
“She’s still a little unsteady on them.” Maggie smiled when Raine suddenly plopped down on her bottom. The thick padding of her diaper made a soft, swishing sound.
Prosper walked over to the little girl and picked her up. When he held her in his arms, Raine immediately reached out to pull at the silver chain he had around his neck. Then the little girl continued to explore the big man by sticking a finger in his ear and pulling at his nose. When she placed a palm against the scratchy stubble of his cheek and made a face, Prosper laughed out loud.
Maggie took a reluctant Raine out of Prosper’s arms and put her in a playpen where she immediately began playing with books and toys.
“What do you say we take Raine into town and grab some lunch?” Prosper asked Maggie. “Is there a tire store around here at all?”
Maggie frowned in thought. “Yes, I think there is one at the end of the mall at Turners Corner. Do you need a tire for your motorcycle?”
“No. But you need tires for your car. They have zero tread left on them. You can’t be driving around with Raine like that.”
Maggie laughed. “Prosper, you just got here. How did you notice those tires?”
That’s not the question that needs answering, Maggie. The question should be, how the hell did Jack not notice?But instead of voicing his thoughts, Prosper just shrugged.
“Jack’s been meaning to do some work on the car, but he just never got around to it,” Maggie told him. “I have the money budgeted for some new tires, so it would actually be great if maybe we can get that done today. The steel wall is beginning to poke through on that left passenger side, and honestly, I do worry about getting a blowout.” Maggie went over to the cupboard and pulled a jar from one of the shelves. She took out a wad of rolled-up cash and handed it to Prosper. “There’s three hundred and fifty-nine dollars here. You think that will be enough?”
“Well, that’s just insulting. Put your money away, Maggie.” Prosper frowned at her. “I got this.”
“This money is especially for the tires, Prosper. I budgeted it in,” Maggie insisted.
“Well then, you can budget it in somewhere else, Maggie.”
“I’m not comfortable with this.” She crossed her arms in front of her chest.
“Okay, well … that didn’t take long.” He snorted.
“What didn’t take long?”
“For that damn stubborn side of yours to show.”
“Hah! I was just thinking the same thing about you!” she retorted.
Prosper couldn’t help but grin. “Okay, fair enough. How about you let me bunk down here for a while? There are some upgrades I want to do on the bike, and I’d like to stick around long enough to see Jack. You can throw a meal my way once in a while and we’ll call it even.” Prosper shrugged.
“Tell you what—” Maggie replied, “You let me pay for lunch today, and I’m in.”
Now it was a few days later, and it amazed Prosper how easy it was to slip back into a familiar rhythm with Maggie. She was as earnest and kind and agreeable as he remembered. She was also amazing with Raine, and it was a beautiful thing to see them together. Being with Maggie brought a kind of peace to Prosper, and if he had been conflicted or confused about his feelings for her before, then being with her again had erased any lingering doubt. The miles and time that had separated them had not changed a damn thing. If anything, it made him realize more than ever that he was deeply, profoundly, and undoubtedly still in love with his best friend’s wife.
And the more time Prosper spent with Maggie, the more pissed off he was getting at Jack. With every day that passed, Prosper thought for sure this would be the day that would bring Jack thundering up the road. Not only was there no sign of him, there was no word from him either. Nothing to let his wife know where he was, when he’d be back, or evenifhe’d be back. Prosper did his best to hold his tongue, but the more time that’d gone by, the more difficult it became.
“Ifixed the hinge on the door while you were putting Raine to bed. Damn thing’s like a guillotine! Liable to cut her little fingers right off.”
“Thank you …” Maggie sighed. “Jack—”
“—is one irresponsible motherfucker,” Prosper said with a disgust he could no longer hide.
“Don’t say that.” Maggie scolded with a frown.
“Why not, Maggie? Why shouldn’t I say it?” he snapped back.
“Because…” Maggie began.
But Prosper had heard enough of the bullshit excuses Maggie had made in defense of her husband. Prosper simply couldn’t take it anymore. “Because you don’t want to hear it, or because you don’t want to face it?”
“Jack meant—” Maggie reddened and stammered. Then her voice simply trailed off.
