His Third Wife

“Brother—” Jamison scrunched his face in a way that let the person shaking his hand know he needed reminding as to who he was.

He started, “Keet—”

But then Jamison recalled his last name and added, “Neales—Brother Keet Neales.”

“Y-yes. Th-that’s me,” he said. “You—you remember.” There was a big smile, almost childlike. Grateful.

“Of course. The brother from the last chapter meeting. You approached me in the parking lot about a job,” Jamison recalled.

“Did you get my-my resume?” Keet asked.

“Actually, I did,” Jamison said. “Very impressive. Howard Law? Three years working for the DA. Makes me wonder what you’re doing working for the police department.”

“We-well, I’m n-not one to sii-iit behind a desk all day. I-I-I prefer a hands on approach to ju-ustice,” Keet got out.

“Good thinking,” Jamison said. “Smart.”

There was an awkward extended pause after Jamison spoke and so he felt a need to fill the space.

“I’m sorry, man,” he went on. “We’ve been talking and I forgot to introduce you to my wife. Keet, this is Val.”

Keet extended his hand with a smile that went from soft to sly, but Jamison didn’t see this. His eyes were on Val’s icy face.

“Oh, the first lady,” Keet proclaimed without stuttering on one syllable.

Val offered her hand for a shake, but Keet turned it palm down and kissed the soft spot on top of her wrist.

“Hello,” Val said.

“It’s wonderful to meet you,” Keet added.

“Same here.”

Keet released Val’s hand and looked back at Mayor Taylor.

“You’re a lucky man—the mayor, married to a beautiful woman, and expecting a child,” Keet listed admiringly.

“Well, my father once told me that luck is just preparation meeting opportunity,” Jamison said, his unwavering pride eclipsing concern for Val’s silence and full detachment. “Nothing can quite prepare a man for every opportunity, but if he’s lucky, worlds collide.”

“I can only imagine,” Keet said, looking at Val.

Then there was that pause again; as some eyes went darting around, others seemed determined to not move at all.

“Well, let me leave you two to dinner,” Keet finally said as the waiter arrived at the table. “I’mmmm sure Mr. Mayor and Mrs. First Lady ha-a-ave a lot to discuss.”

“Thank you,” Jamison said. “And look, brother, my office will be contacting you this week. I think we can find something for you.”

“Re-really?” Keet’s tone regressed.

“Yes. Nothing big, but something to get your foot in the door,” Jamison said.

Keet nodded at Jamison and nearly bowed to Val before backing away into the crowd.

After Jamison and Val ordered their food, Jamison noticed that Val was hardly speaking or looking at him.

“Are you okay?” he asked in the middle of a review of all the things he’d seen on Keet’s resume. “You’re starting to look sick.”

“I just feel a little nauseous,” Val said, before taking a sip of her water.