Husband by Choice

The first time Max had noticed, Caleb had been sucking his thumb in his sleep as he lay in his crib at night.

Max had pulled his son’s thumb out of his mouth that night. But he hadn’t bothered to fight the habit since.

“Okay, got it. Wayne and I split up this morning, to cover more ground,” she said, injecting a note of cheer in her voice, for Caleb’s sake, obviously. “We didn’t turn up anything and I was just getting on the highway to head back to Las Sendas....” She’d taken her bag with her that morning, planning to head home after a bit more canvasing. She was on shift at noon the next day, working three twelve-hour days in a row.

“But then Wayne called. He’d driven by the house we’d seen yesterday and...Caleb’s there, right?”

“Yes.” Another glance at his son and he saw the boy looking at him, not quite a frown on his face, but maybe a toddler version of one.

“Wayne was certain there was a light on inside the house,” she said. “So I turned around and came back. If...well, I didn’t know and...”

/> With an eye on the road, Max turned onto his street, and checked on his son once more. Still sucking his thumb, Caleb was back to staring out the window, his head against the side of his car seat.

He didn’t look sick. Or even unhappy.

Just far too mellow for his father’s comfort.

“So...is someone there? At the house?”

“It doesn’t look like it. I’ve driven past several times. I’m just sitting down the street from the house right now. There’s no sign of life.”

“But Wayne thinks he saw a light?”

“He’s not positive, Max.”

“But he was sure enough that he called you.” Which was sure enough for Max.

“Yes. He also just checked to make certain that...everyone he’s been checking on...is okay.” Meaning Meri. “Anyway, I thought I’d hang around here a bit longer and then head your way, if you don’t mind. I’d rather make the drive back to Las Sendas in the morning.”

“Of course I don’t mind.” He pulled into his driveway, hitting the button to raise the automatic garage door and pulled inside. “Have you eaten?”

“I can grab a burger.”

“Nonsense. We’re doing fish sticks and fruit, but you’re welcome to join us.”

“What time’s dinner?” She sounded as if she was grinning.

It was four-thirty. “How about six?”

“I’ll be there.”

Max was certain she would be. And liked being able to be certain. He just wished that his wife would be there, too, to welcome his friend into their home.

* * *

SHE’D BEEN THERE.

“Da, ca. Ca.” Caleb squirmed down from Max’s grasp, and ran straight for the living room, grabbing the remote. He brought it to Max. “Ca,” he said again.

Max hardly heard him. Meri had been there.

The house smelled like it used to smell after she’d cleaned. Like pine and flowers. Because she always sprayed floral air freshener after using the strong-smelling chemical cleansers.

The small bathroom off the living area had definitely been cleaned. He’d noticed the pink ring around the toilet that morning, but hadn’t done anything about it.

It was gone.

The faucets were polished, no drops of water or any residue on them.