I closed my eyes.
“Yes, he did.”
“Did he believe that when he said it?”
I had no answer.
Later that afternoon, Mark called while I was preparing lunch.
“What are you doing for dinner?”
I stared at the kitchen wall.
“I’m not sure.”
“Want me to pick something up?”
“No. Daniel might stop by.”
There was a brief pause.
“Everything okay with him?”
“I think he’s having some problems in his marriage.”
Another pause.
“Oh?”
“He hasn’t told me everything yet.”
Mark cleared his throat.
“You know, young marriages can be difficult. People get stressed. They make mistakes.”
I tightened my grip on the phone.
“Do they?”
“Of course. Hopefully they work through it.”
I almost laughed.
There he was, offering advice about a marriage he had helped betray.
“Hopefully everyone gets what they deserve,” I said.
Silence.
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing. I’ll see you tonight.”
I ended the call before he could ask another question.
