That wasn’t the only thing that changed.
He started disappearing after work. His shift ended at noon, so I called him at lunch.
“I’ll pick you up. We’ll get food.”
“Can’t. I have class.”
But he never reached for her again.
“What class?”
“Just class. Tuesday and Thursday.”
“Since when do you keep secrets from me?”
He grinned. “It’s a surprise.”
The next Sunday, he dropped his bag on the hall bench to wash his hands. It slid open.
Claire froze.
“Just class.”
A plastic baby doll lay on top of his sweatshirt, staring at the ceiling.
“Jamie. Why do you have a baby in your bag?”
He zipped it shut fast.
“I have to give it back.”
“To who?”
“Someone.”
“Why do you have a baby in your bag?”
“Jamie…”
“It’s a surprise!”
He hurried to the bathroom.
Claire turned to me.
