FIFTY-THREE
They held hands while they drove in silence. James’ mind reeled. He wasn’t sure how long they should go without talking. He wasn’t sure he could keep quiet much longer.
He started, “I was just—”
“Are they—” she said.
They both stopped. Laughed. At the same time, they said, “You first,” and then, “no you.”
“No, really. You go ahead, I wasn’t really going to say anything.”
Charlie folded hands into her lap. “I was just wondering how your family really felt about you bringing me along to get Rigs. Do you think they are going to like me?”
Truth was, he had no idea how his family would react. It wasn’t just about them meeting Charlie. After Linda and Matthew’s funeral, everyone had gone back to his mother’s house. People brought over food after learning about the deaths. Fran
