First thing the next morning, Jess, clearheaded, reread her message to Jim twice before sending it.
She prepared food and walked outside to greet Claire as she drove up. They rescued PJ from his car seat and strolled around the garden. He went for the bright colors in the garden pots Jess had planted now that the frost warnings had passed. When Diane drove up, PJ recognized her and reached out immediately.
“Will you look at that? I’m already losing him to another woman.” Claire laughed.
Diane took him from Claire. “He’s getting so big. I can’t believe he’s already crawling.”
“And getting into everything,” Claire said as they entered the house.
“I thought of that. How about we set up in the great room and let him crawl around?” Jess carried the baby toys and diaper bag in from the car. In the kitchen, she took the strata from the oven and then carried it out and set it down with the food already on the great-room table. They all helped themselves and gathered around to watch PJ and do their planning.
An hour later, PJ was down for his nap and Jess had finished her to-do list for Diane’s showers in both Goodrich and St. Louis. They carried dishes into the kitchen, and Claire zeroed in on the flowers on the table. “Those are lovely. What’s the occasion, Jess?”
“From Jim. A long story there. Are you two up for that?” Jess started a fresh pot of coffee.
“Always.” Diane filled the dishwasher. “You know that.”
“Yes, please. What’s up? Why aren’t you going to his place for Memorial Day weekend?” Claire read the card with the flowers. “And why is he apologizing?”
“Well, he kinda went after me for doing my job the way it has to be done.” Jess winced. “Seems he didn’t like how it might turn out for a fellow doctor.”
“A friend of his?” Claire asked.
“No. that’s the odd thing. Jim doesn’t really know this guy. There’s been some bad stuff going on in this practice, so I had to call them on it. I think Jim just plain didn’t like it.”
“How do you feel about it? Seems like he’s apologized.” Diane found her coffee mug.
“Yes, he has.” Jess scowled. “But, actually, it’s a good time to take some time out.”
“Because?”
“Well, the anger was surprising—and misplaced. That’s the first thing. And I’m worried that we’re moving too fast, or at least at different speeds.” She paused to pour herself coffee too, and they headed back into the great room.
“I’m not sure we both want to get to the same place. My gut tells me that Jim is looking to get back into a married lifestyle and wants me to take on a traditional wife role.”
“Why do you think that?” Claire asked.
“He’s rushing me. ‘Meet all my friends, come to the Symphony Ball, come to the lake and we’ll do all of my lake things, meet my kids, host dinners with me, why are you going home, why not just stay here?’”
“Isn’t that behavior consistent with being in love and wanting to share everything with someone?” Diane added cream to her coffee. “And you did introduce him to your friends.”
“Yes, and that’s why I’m not sure. That’s why I want to take some time.”
“How long have you been dating—two, three months? It’s still new. What do you like about this dating thing?” Claire asked.
“Closer to four months now. Not that long, really, especially given that both of us are recently single. Anyway, the best part about being with Jim is that he’s helped me realize how much I’ve missed the intimacy of a relationship—the sex, sure, but also the tender touch, the good-night calls, the intimacy of caring for someone. I love that.” Jess looked up carefully.
Diane was smiling broadly at her. “Hey, that’s totally healthy and a good thing for you. I bet you didn’t have that with Arthur anytime recently, and I know you didn’t see so much of it in your own family when we were growing up.”
Claire piled on, “So maybe it’s not Jim, but maybe Mr. Right is out there somewhere, waiting for you.”
“I’m not sure. Maybe he is. Or maybe it is Jim.” Jess paused and looked at each of her dear friends in turn. “Or is he just convenient because my kids are moving away from my orbit now? Tom is starting off toward being a chef, and Beth has a new boyfriend. Am I afraid to be alone?”
“Well, what do you want, Jess? The world awaits,” Claire said, but Diane was leaning in for the answer.
“That’s the problem—I really don’t know what I want now. And it’s frustrating!” Jess felt the scrutiny getting to her. She rose too quickly from the sofa and, in an attempt to avoid tripping on a baby toy, steadied herself on the console table, toppling a stack of books, which fell to the floor.
Claire helped Jess pick them up. “This is an unusual book. What is it?” She held it up, and as she did so, a photo fell out of the inner flap.
“Oh, that’s the guest book from the lake place.” Jess put her pile back on the table.
“It sure is!” Claire laughed. “Look at this pic! Lookin’ good, girl!” She held the picture out to Jess. There she was—a younger, nude Jess, hair cascading over her face, backlit by firelight and lying on a plaid blanket.
“Oh my God!” Jess felt her face flush with embarrassment—and relief. “Unbelievable!”
Diane rushed over and exploded in giggles as she looked. The three of them laughed, pointed at Jess, and took turns with the picture until the ruckus woke PJ.
Claire brought her warm and fuzzy son out from Jess’s bedroom to say goodbye and packed him up. They were still chuckling as they left—but not before they concluded that there are more mysteries in life than anyone can predict.