Jewel and his mom are waiting for them at the Creamery. There’s only a couple of people in line, which is a surprise. They expanded the entire building the year before, tripling in size, and they offer breakfast and lunch now to go with the ice cream. It’s been in the same spot for eighty years, a local institution, the kind of place that’s featured in tourist brochures and that the university likes to suggest to visiting parents. It’s Jewel’s favorite place in town. A treat for her.
His phone buzzes while they are waiting. Wyatt.
wat the fuck
Jessup thinks it says something about him that his first thought is annoyance that Wyatt texts him “wat” instead of “what.” The sloppiness bothers him.
can’t talk talk later
Notices he’s got a couple of missed texts from Deanne.
call me
call me
are you okay?
I’m scared. call me, please
He texts her back.
sorry. getting ice cream with family. see you at work
He watches the screen. Almost as soon as the text goes through he sees the thought bubbles, quick response.
what’s going on? you okay?
yes. nothing. it’s nothing. I’ll see you soon. everything’s okay
you sure?
yeah. don’t worry.
can you come in early? want to see you. 145?
okay
okay
Okay. Okay. Everything’s going to be okay. Everything’s going to be okay. Don’t think about Corson. Don’t think about Corson. He notices his sister watching him. He slips the phone away and then shoos her forward.
She orders a scoop of Cortaca Crunch in a chocolate-dipped waffle cone. Jessup’s mom gets an ice-cream sandwich. David John just orders a coffee. Jessup doesn’t feel like eating.