Now I was the one hesitating. Here’s why: The day before, Jeff Slade had called to tell me bad news. He and his fiancée had split up. I said, “How sad.” He said, “Better now than later.” He sounded upset, but I couldn’t tell if he was acting. When I asked what had happened, he said there were reasons that he’d explain some other time. Then he said he hoped the trip could go on without his fiancée. “Let me think about it,” I said. I pretended to think about it and said, “Yes.”

“Ma’am,” the driver said.

“Honey,” I said, in a sudden panic right before getting in the car, “I just got a great idea. When your defense is over, go straight to the airport. Flights to Orlando leave like every hour. Just get a ticket. Cost not an issue.”

“Your seat belt, honey . . .”

“Did you hear me? Come be with us—”

“By the time I got there, it would be time to come back.”

“Please,” I begged.

“There’ll be another chance. Disney’s not going anywhere.” He helped me with my seat belt. “I mean, with what happened with your job, you deserve this trip. Go have a great time. Promise?”

I promised.

“And whatever you do, don’t think about me.”

“Okay, okay,” I said. “Boys, say good-bye to your dad.” The driver asked which airport. “Kennedy,” I said as the car took off.

Why hadn’t I told Tim? Shouldn’t he know that Jeff was no longer engaged and that I would be the only Kate on the trip?

Here’s what I told myself: I didn’t want him to worry. Besides, it wasn’t like anything was going to happen.

As we drove away, I had that familiar, distinct sense Tim was watching us go. But by the time I looked back, we had already turned the corner.

TIM

TIM