The Friends We Keep

“I can be tough. Not often, but every now and then. Do you want to go to the screening?”


“I can’t decide. I’m embarrassed to say, I still don’t know what the movie’s about. I’ve read a bit about it online, but I never read the screenplay. Eric kept saying it wasn’t ready. Then we were divorced and it seemed weird to ask. So I know as much as the rest of the world. Apparently the story’s about a regular guy who saves the world. It’s a thriller with heart and humor.”

“Are you still seeing Jairus?”

The change in subject had her squirming. “He’s on his book tour, so he’s been gone.”

“But you’re still together.”

“We’re not together. We’re, um...”

Hayley waited patiently.

“Yes, I’m still seeing him,” Nicole admitted quietly. “We’re texting every day.”

“So take him with you. I’ve seen the photos. Jairus is a good-looking guy. It’s not like events like this are part of your everyday life. Go have the experience with a handsome man at your side and call it a win. You’ll look like the gracious ex-wife and you get your curiosity satisfied in one easy night. What’s the movie called?”

“Disaster Road.”

“That’s appropriate. You need to do this. It will give you closure.”

When Hayley put it like that, going made sense. “I’m a little nervous,” she admitted. “I have no idea what to expect from an event like that.”

“Ask Shannon. I’m sure she’s been to premieres or knows someone who has. Jairus might have been, too. He’s a celebrity.”

Only to kids under the age of ten, she thought. Funny how Eric and Jairus were both writers, but they seemed so different. Eric was aloof, keeping to himself. He was mostly interested in the workings of Hollywood and how he could be in the inner circle. Jairus seemed to really care about his readers.

“Okay, I’ll ask him,” she said. “He might still be out of town on that day.”

“I suspect he’ll make it back if he can. So you like the guy?”

Nicole resisted the need to squirm again. “He’s nice.”

“And?”

“He’s great with Tyler. Funny and patient. I’m surprised he doesn’t have kids of his own. He’d be a great dad.” She thought about how he’d been busy taking care of his sister as his marriage fell apart. She would guess that was one of the reasons. Maybe the reason.

Not that she would ask. Every marriage had its secrets. She had plenty from her time with Eric.

“I wish I could say the same about my ex.” She raised her hand. “I know, I know. Old news. But I still can’t reconcile what he’s doing with how I feel about Tyler. He’s everything to me.” She sighed. “It’s like with the house. I feel like he was never here. Not really. He moved in and when it was time to leave, he moved out. But nothing had changed. He didn’t leave his mark on anything. Is that him or me?”

“It’s both.” Her friend raised her shoulders. “I think Eric is one of those people who simply doesn’t connect deeply. It’s not bad—it just is.”

“That’s what Gabby said, too.” She thought about how he’d been after selling his screenplay. “He’s not into his success for the sex. There were pretty young women hanging all over him and I genuinely think he didn’t care.”

“You and I can’t imagine not being involved. With our family, our friends. No matter how Morgan annoys me, I’m still going to call her in a few days because she’s my sister. We’re not islands, but I think Eric really is. He’s getting enough. He not only doesn’t need a close relationship with Tyler, he can’t see what he’s missing. It’s like asking us to imagine what it would be like to live on planet Zenon.”

“Planet Zenon? Is this a Star Wars thing?”

Hayley laughed. “You know it’s not. You’re as much a Star Wars geek as me. My point is, maybe it’s not you. Maybe it’s him.”

“That’s tidy. So I don’t have to take any responsibility?”

“You know you do. You did plenty wrong in your marriage.”

“Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence.”

“Sorry, but you did. We all mess up. It’s the nature of being human. The difference is you’re looking at what happened and are searching for an answer. I suspect Eric has simply moved on to the next chapter of his life.”

“You’ve become very wise, Obi Wan.”

“If only that were true.” Hayley sipped her lemonade. “I’ve had a lot of time to think. It hasn’t been fun, but it’s been good for me. To dwell on the fact that I’ll never have a baby of my own.”

“How much does it hurt?”

“A lot. Less than it did. Now I have to figure out what to do next. Rob and I need to repair the cracks in our marriage.” Hayley sighed. “You can’t go through what we did without leaving scars.”