I watched a glowing ember float up from the fire pit and disappear in the cooling night air. I sipped my beer and swiped at a drip running down the neck of the bottle as Claire droned on about work and her place in its hierarchy. I had invited Jodi, Claire, and the kids for an evening in front of the fire pit, drinks, and s’mores. I thought it was a good way to get to know Claire, give her a fair shake, maybe see what Jodi saw in her.
Jodi poked a marshmallow on one of the sticks I had purchased for the evening and held it over the fire pit, turning it deftly so it browned to perfection without burning and handed it to Annie.
“Wow. I’m impressed,” I told her.
She turned with a smile on her face. “One of my many talents.”
“Marshmallow roaster extraordinaire.”
Claire leaned forward and gave Jodi’s knee a squeeze. “She is a woman of many talents. She’s also great at starting fires.”
“Like an arsonist?” I joked.
Jodi laughed. “No. Like in fireplaces or”—she waved her hand toward the fire—“fire pits. The secret is this little starter log. They catch quickly and spread fast.”
“Oh, you’re too modest, babe,” Claire said. “I have a hell of time, even with those little sticks. Jodi’s great at it.”
“Thanks, honey,” Jodi said.
Claire continued looking at me. “I’m so glad you and Jodi are friends. I know she’s been lonely here. She had a good many friends in Denver. Of course, a few took advantage of her and proved not to be so great.”
I looked over at Jodi. I could imagine that her gentle nature could easily be taken advantage of. She simply shrugged like it didn’t matter and took a bite of a marshmallow. A bit of the sticky sweetness clung to her lip. The urge to wipe it off with my finger surprised me. It didn’t surprise me to see Claire do it and pop her finger in her mouth. I looked away. I didn’t see her, but I heard Claire kiss Jodi. I assumed on the mouth. Jodi was smiling when I looked back over at her. But her shoulders were slumped, almost in defeat. Her body belied the look on her face. I saw it but was willing to bet Claire didn’t. I was sure Claire didn’t see the heart or magnificence of Jodi.
I had done my best to open my heart and my home to Claire without judgment. But there it was. I was judging her. I was judging her as unworthy. Unworthy of Jodi or her love.
“How’s mine?” Andrew showed me his marshmallow, toasted brown on one side and burnt black on the other.
“Looks great to me. Your mom says you play lacrosse.”
“Yeah. We had our last game already.”
“Oh. I would have liked to see you play.”
“We lost. Did you ever play sports?”
“Nope. I was more into cheerleading than playing.”
“That’s cool,” Andrew said. “When I get to high school I might play football. They get the cheerleaders.” He wolfed down his marshmallow and proceeded to put another one on his stick. “Mom,” he said to Jodi. “Next time you go get your hair cut, can I come and get mine cut too?”
“Of course,” she said. She looked over at me and smiled. It warmed my heart.
The kids seemed to have a good time and I really liked having them and Jodi over. Claire I could tolerate for Jodi’s sake.
Jodi helped me clean up while the kids and Claire continued to enjoy the fire.
“I can’t believe how much Andrew talked to you tonight,” Jodi said. “He hasn’t said that much to me in the last month.”
“He’s a good kid,” I told her. “We’ll have to do this again sometime.”
“I would like that.”
Annie came into the kitchen with the bag of marshmallows. “We have some left,” she said. “Where should I put them?”
“Thanks so much for helping, Annie. Do you want to take them home?” I looked at Jodi. “If it’s okay with your mom.”
“Can I, Mom?”
Jodi nodded. “Sure.”
Annie gave me a tight hug. “Thanks. I had so much fun tonight.”
“Me too.”
Jodi wrapped her arms around both of us. “Group hug.”
I didn’t know exactly what it was about Jodi, but there was something that got under my skin and went right to my heart.