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He nods, his face pointed toward the floor, hand on the back of his neck. An awkward silence blankets us. I’m not sure whether he wants to be left alone or what.
“Um… Monica and I were just going to swim in the indoor pool. I don’t know if you want to join us or…”
He tilts his face up and meets my concerned gaze. The spark normally present in his dark irises is missing. Clearly, something more than the worry about Monica has made him so upset. “Yeah, sure, I guess. I mean, I don’t have anything with me, but I’ll come watch.”
I nod. “Okay, great.” When we reach the bottom of the stairs, I turn and face him. “We just have to get changed. The fridge was fully stocked when we got here. I don’t know if you’re hungry or thirsty or anything?”
“I could use a drink. Flying always makes me thirsty.”
“The kitchen is just through there.” I point toward the back of the house. “Give us a few minutes.”
He nods, his face a blank slate, and turns to walk away.
“Monica will be excited to see you,” I call, hoping that pulls a smile.
He looks over his shoulder, a ghost of a smile on his lips, and nods.
I turn and walk up the stairs, deep in thought. Did something come out in the press that I don’t know about? I’ve stayed away from the news and the Internet since we arrived, not interested in seeing how they’re spinning this whole situation. I can only imagine the nasty headlines.
Oh God.
I stop, squeezing the bannister. There’s no way they could have found out about my father… is there?
No. No way. Jimmy would have told me.
I change into my swimsuit and get Monica changed.
“Guess what?” I say after I’ve pulled up her straps.
“What?”
“There’s a surprise for you downstairs.” I fix her straps so her suit is straight.
“Really?” she says.
“Yep. Go and see.”
She runs out of the room.
“Walk though, and careful on the stairs!” I call from behind her.
“Okay, Mommy!” But her feet are moving as fast as she can without technically running.
“Kitchen,” I direct when she reaches the bottom of the stairs, holding her hands to her sides.
We enter the kitchen, but he’s not there.
“Where, Mommy?”
“I guess we’ll have to find it.” I look around, wondering if he’s hiding from her, but he didn’t seem in the mood to play hide-and-seek. “Indoor pool.”
When I heave open the door between the house and the pool, Jimmy’s in one of the poolside chairs.
“Jimmy!”
He lights up as Monica pushes past me and runs toward him. “Hey, sweetie.”
He scoops her up in his arms, giving her a big hug and kiss on the top of her head. When he sets her down, his eyes veer to me.
