BIGGER BUBBLES

The house in Hartford smelled like lemon cleaner and someone else’s perfume. Adrian dropped his duffel by the front door. It had been 8 months since he’d been home. 6 months since the funeral. “Dad?” he called. “In the kitchen!” Ethan’s voice. Lighter than Adrian remembered. He followed it. Ethan was at the counter, pouring wine. He looked tan. New haircut. 54 and trying to look 40. And next to him was a woman. 24. Bare feet. White tank top. Hair damp from a shower. “Adrian,” Ethan said, and pulled him into a hug. Too tight. “This is Lily. My wife.” Lily smiled. Big. “Hey. I’ve heard a lot about you.” “All of it true, I’m sure,” Adrian said. He shook her hand. Her fingers were cold. “Come on, sit,” Ethan said. “Steak’s almost done. Tell us about Chicago.” Dinner was loud. Ethan talked about the wedding in Vegas. The cruise. The “second chapter” of his life. Lily laughed at everything. Touched Ethan’s arm. Touched Adrian’s when she passed the potatoes. Her knee brushed his under the table and stayed there a second too long. Adrian didn’t say much. He watched her. The way she drank. The way she looked at his dad, then away. After dinner Ethan went to watch the game. “Make yourself at home, kid,” he said. The house went quiet. Adrian was in the guest room unpacking when he heard it. 2:14am. Three soft knocks on his door. He opened it. Lily. Hoodie. No bra underneath. Holding two glasses of red wine. “Can’t sleep,” she whispered. Like that explained it. “You?” Adrian looked down the hall. Ethan’s door was closed. He stepped aside. She came in and closed the door behind her. She set the wine on his desk. “This is a bad idea,” she said. “I know.” She sat on the edge of his bed anyway. Took a sip. “Your dad talks about you a lot. Said you’re the smart one.” “I’m not.” Lily looked at him over the rim of her glass. “You’re not what I expected.” “What did you expect?” “Someone who hates me.” She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “You don’t.” “I don’t know you,” Adrian said. “Then learn me.” She leaned in. He didn’t stop her. The kiss was fast and stupid and tasted like wine. She pulled back first, breathing hard. “This can’t happen,” she said. “No,” Adrian agreed. Lily finished her wine in one go. Stood up. “Tomorrow night?” Adrian’s chest tightened. “Yeah.” She slipped out. Door clicked shut. Adrian sat on the bed for a long time after. Listening to the house. Listening to his own breathing. Outside, Hartford was quiet. Inside, something had already started.