Chapter 20 Clara
J ACK TALKS IN HIS SLEEP and I’m trying to decide if it’s funny or weird to mention it.
I know it was weird to record it, which I won’t be telling him about, but otherwise what’s the reasonable thing to do? In my defense, he was saying either Clara or karma , neither of which is necessarily good for me.
I’m as quiet as possible as I tiptoe around the kitchen to make coffee. I don’t want to wake Jack. The strong lines of his face soften in his sleep; his sharp jaw fades beneath a dusting of facial hair that I quite like.
I’m ignoring the fact Maggie texted me to say the repairman is coming today and I’ll be able to go back to the B Dad’s arm is draped over Max’s shoulder.
Both of them wave at the camera and I unenthusiastically wave back.
Mom flips the camera back to her. “Why isn’t Dad at work?
” I’ve never known Dad to take the day off.
“Your brother had a voucher.”
A voucher. “Seriously?”
She nods. “One of those stamp book incentives where you get your seventh game free. Max is quite enamored with it. Strange since he hated every sport we tried to make him do when he was a child.”
“Very strange.” The image of my dad and brother arm in arm isn’t one I thought I’d need to get used to.
I might not want to go home, but it feels like I have to.
I feel like I’m trying to keep up with them when I wasn’t invited in the first place.
Most important, it feels like my promotion is slipping through my fingers.
“I was just checking in. Nothing urgent. Enjoy shopping, Mom.”
“See you tomorrow, darling. Love you.”