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“You still good to go to Mass with me?”
“Yeah. We can go to the later service if you don’t want to get going so early.”
“No, it’s fine. I’m awake. I can shower and dress pretty quick. The earlier service won’t be as crowded, so that will be easier for you.”
She was right, and he appreciated the consideration.
He went into his closet and came out with a pair of decent gray trousers and a blue shirt.
As he was pulling them on, Eve said, “Nancy said your dad is coming home today.”
“Oh yeah. That’s right. I think his flight lands after lunch.”
Eve was watching as he dressed. He had no idea what she was thinking. “What is it?” he asked at last.
“Maybe sometime later today,” she began, pronouncing each syllable carefully, delicately. “Maybe later today you could tell him.”
Jude’s stomach dropped. His lips tightened. He tried to reply but couldn’t.
Her blue eyes were wide and worried. “I know it’s your choice and your timing, but surely you’ll feel better just getting it over with.”
He managed to pull on an undershirt. Then his legs didn’t want to support his weight, so he went to sit on the bed beside Eve.
She squeezed one of his knees. “He needs to know, Jude.”
“I…” The words felt strangled. “I know.”
“You don’t have to tell anyone else if you don’t want, but you need to tell him.”
“I know.” His chest was too tight. He cleared his throat in an attempt to ease it.
She waited a minute to see if he’d say anything else. When he didn’t, she murmured, “I know he wasn’t the best dad in the world, but you love him. And he loves you. He needs some time to… to prepare for it.”
He nodded. Swallowed hard again. “Yeah. I know you’re right. I’ll tell him tonight.”
She nodded too, then stretched up to press a soft kiss on his mouth. “You’ll feel better getting it done.”
After that, she went to her own room to shower and dress, leaving him alone with his thoughts.
At four o’clock that afternoon, Jude sat in a big, cushy chair in a coffee shop.
After Mass, they’d returned home and had a late breakfast of eggs, bacon, and waffles that Nancy had prepared. Then they’d hung out together for a while and ended up taking a nap. But in the middle of the afternoon, Eve announced that she felt like doing something. Maybe going into town and wandering around or getting a coffee.
Jude hadn’t gone into town just to hang out in a really long time, but he didn’t have the heart to refuse Eve’s simple request.
So here he was.
At least they’d ended up in one of the less popular establishments, so he wasn’t as likely to run into scores of old friends or former schoolmates. And Eve seemed so happy that he’d agreed to go with her.
Mass had been better than he’d expected. It had felt easy. Comfortable. Even though there were a number of familiar faces in the pews, no one had made a big deal about his return. Several people had introduced themselves to Eve afterward, but the conversation was casual and friendly. Nothing had been awkward, and the familiar rhythms of the liturgy had felt like coming home.
Part of him was glad Eve had gotten him to attend. He might even go again.
There were several other people sitting around in the coffee shop this afternoon but no one Jude knew. Eve was up at thecounter, waiting for their drinks, so he fiddled on his phone for a minute or two.
Until a voice distracted him. “I can’t believe it. Jude Gregory in the flesh. His continued existence must not be a myth after all.”
Jude glanced up and saw Leo Magnussen grinning down at him. They’d been friends all through school, although Jude hadn’t talked to him in more than a year. “Hey, Leo. It’s been a while.”