Husband for a Weekend

The light changed. “Go,” she said on a sob.

He drove on. “I’m waiting.”

She sniffed again. “I think something’s wrong between Abby and Greg. And not only that, there’s something going on with Melissa, too. I think Melissa’s got…a secret, you know? A secret that is worrying her terribly.”

“Why do you think something’s going on between Abby and Greg?”

“I sensed it. You know how sensitive I am— Oh, God. Do you think Abby and Greg are breaking up? Do you think he might be seeing someone else?”

“Whoa. Diana. Slow down.”

“Well, I am worried. I am so worried. And Melissa. She is suffering. I can hear it in her voice when I talk to her.”

“But you haven’t told me why you think there might be something wrong—with Melissa, or between Abby and Greg. Did Abby say something to you?”

“Of course not. She wants to protect me.”

“What about Melissa?”

“What do you mean, what about Melissa?”

“Well, did you ask her if something is bothering her?”

Another sob caught in Diana’s throat. She swallowed it. “I couldn’t. I didn’t want to butt in.”

Frank eased the car to the shoulder and stopped. “Diana,” he said. That was all. Just her name.

It was more than enough. “Don’t you look at me like that, Frank Morgan.”

“Diana, I hate to say this—”

“Then don’t. Just don’t. And why are we stopped? We’ll be late. Even with family, you know I always like to be on time.”

“Diana…”

She waved her soggy tissue at him. “Drive, Frank. Just drive.”

He leaned closer across the console. “Sweetheart…”

She sagged in her seat. “Oh, fine. What?”

“You know what you’re doing, don’t you?” He said it gently. But still. She knew exactly what he was getting at and she didn’t like it one bit.

She sighed and dropped the wadded tissue in the little wastepaper bag she always carried in the car. “Well, I know you’re bound to tell me, now don’t I?”

He took her hand, kissed the back of it.

“Don’t try to butter me up,” she muttered.

“You’re jumping to conclusions again,” he said tenderly.

“Am not.”

“Yes, you are. You’ve got nothin’. Zip. Admit it. No solid reason why you think Melissa has a secret or why you think Abby and Greg are suddenly on the rocks.”

“I don’t need a solid reason. I can feel it.” She laid her hand over her heart. “Here.”

“You know it’s very possible that what’s really going on is a surprise anniversary party for us, don’t you?”