Where There's Smoke

During the days following their brother’s funeral, she’d been too engulfed in her own sorrow to deal with Key’s, although even if she’d tried, he probably would have rebuffed her. Besides, she would have felt inadequate. She still did. Nevertheless, she laid her hand on his arm and pressed it compassionately.

“I read a book on bereavement to help me get through Clark’s death. According to the author, who’s a psychologist, grief can be a delayed reaction. Sometimes a person can deny it for years. Then one day it hits them, and they let it all out. Do you think that’s what happened with Mama?”

Key remained thoughtful and didn’t say anything.

“I think it’s a breakthrough,” Janellen said. “Maybe she’s finally come to grips with losing him. Now that she’s sorted out her feelings, maybe she won’t be so angry anymore. You two got along well at dinner. Did you notice the difference in her attitude?”

Key smiled at her affectionately. “You’re the eternal optimist, aren’t you?”

“Don’t make fun of me,” she said, wounded.

“I’m not making fun of you, Janellen. It was an observation meant to compliment. If everyone were as guileless as you, the world wouldn’t suck nearly as bad as it does.”

He playfully tugged on one of her new curls, but his grin was superficial. “Who knows what compelled Jody to pick through Clark’s things? It could mean anything or nothing. Don’t expect too much from her. Things don’t change that drastically, that quickly. Some things never change. You’re in love. You’re happy and want everybody else to be.”

She laid her head on his chest and hugged him tightly. “It’s true, Key. I’m happier than I’ve been in my entire life. Happier than I believed possible.”

“It shows, and I’m damned glad for you.”

“But I feel guilty.”

Roughly he pushed her away. “Don’t,” he said angrily. “Milk it for all it’s worth. Squeeze every single drop of pleasure from it. You deserve it. You’ve put up with shit from her, from me, from everybody for years. For chrissake, Janellen, don’t apologize for finding happiness. Promise me you won’t.”

Stunned by his vehemence, she bobbed her head. “All right. I promise.”

He pressed a hard kiss on her forehead, then set her away from him again. “I gotta go.”

“Go? Where? I thought you’d want to stay home tonight and get some rest.”

“I’m rested.” He fished in his jeans pocket for his car keys. “I’ve got a lot of catching up to do.”

“Catching up on what?” He shot her a telling look and headed for the door. “Key, wait! You mean like drinking?”

“For starters.”

“Women?”

“Okay.”

She intercepted him at the front door and forced him to look her in the eye. “I haven’t asked because I figured it was your private business.”

“Asked me what?”

“About Lara Mallory.”

“What about her?”

“Well, I thought, you know, that the two of you might…”

“You thought I might take Clark’s place in her bed?”

“You make it sound so ugly.”

“It was ugly.”

“Key!”

“I gotta go. Don’t wait up.”