David Handler - The shimmering blond sister

“That’s not necessarily a bad sign.”

“Yeah, it is. He’s making her dinner there Saturday night.”

“Get out, the guy cooks, too?”

“That’s just what I said.” Des took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Mitch, it was sweet of you to do this but you really don’t have to stay.”

“Will you stop being such a butthead already?”

“I’m sorry, what did you just say?”

“I want to be here with you. Don’t you get it? This is what people who love each other do. I’m not going anywhere, period. So just deal with it, tough guy.” He fished a dog-eared paperback from his back pocket. “If it’ll make things any easier you can just pretend I’m not here, okay?”

“What’s that you’re reading?”

“A collection of essays by the late, great H. L. Mencken.”

“Since when are you into him?”

“I’m not. Let’s just say my curiosity was piqued recently.”

He turned his attention to his book. Des returned to her drawing, focusing on Augie’s facial expression-the total shock that was frozen there for all time. She drew. Mitch read his book. She kept on drawing. Mitch kept on reading. Each of them in their separate spaces. Until, slowly, Des reached over and found Mitch’s hand with hers. He gave it a squeeze and held on to it. And, together, they waited.