“Nothing’s missing.”
She nodded because she had heard that sentence her whole life.
“He didn’t want the responsibility,” she said. “I know the drill, Mom.”
“That’s his loss, my darling.”
The lie came out smoothly because old lies knew the shape of my mouth.
***
The doorbell rang.
Iris jumped up. “He’s here!”
“I’ll stall him for two minutes while you get your shoes on.”
“I know the drill, Mom.”
“Don’t interrogate him.”
“No promises.”
***
Ryan stood on our porch in a tux, holding flowers.
“Good evening, Ms. Jane.”
“Just Jane is fine. Come in.”
“I promise I’ll have her home by midnight,” he said.
“Eleven fifty-nine. At midnight, I start calling hospitals.”
