Page 15 of Keep
“Henry Fortner, you promised you’d call, and you did not call, and I have been waiting like a very patient, very pregnant woman—except I’m not pregnant, which makes the waiting worse because I don’t even have hormones to blame.”
Hank laughed. “I’m sorry. The day got away from me.”
“I don’t care about your day. Tell me about this person.”
He leaned back in his chair, the leather creaking. “His name is Chad. He’s twenty-three. An art student at GW, the Corcoran School. He bartends at a place in Dupont.”
“A bartender.” A pause. “Where?”
“A bar called BJ’s.”
“BJ’s. The gay bar?”
“Yes, Shelby. The gay bar. I went to a gay bar.”
“I know, I just—Henry.” Her voice cracked with something that wasn’t quite laughter and wasn’t quite tears. “You went to a gay bar. By yourself. And you met someone.”
“I did.”
“What’s he like?”
“He’s—” Hank stared at the ceiling. “He kissed me, Shel. Over the bar. Just reached across and pulled me in, and I—” He stopped. Swallowed. “I’ve never felt anything like that.”
Silence on the line. Then, very softly: “Oh, Hank.”
“I know.”
“You sound—” she caught herself. “You sound happy.”
“I am happy. I’m also terrified.”
“Both is good. Both is right.” A pause. “What does he know about you?”
“That my name is Hank and I work on the Hill. Policy.”
“Henry.”
“I know.”
“You have to tell him.”
“And I will. Just not yet.”
The sigh—the one she’d perfected during their marriage, the one that meant I think you’re wrong, but I love you enough to let you figure it out yourself. “Fine. But don’t wait too long. These things have a way of—”
“Blowing up. So I’ve been told. Frannie said the same thing.”
“I like Frannie more every day.”
“How’s Owen?”
“Changing the subject. Very smooth.” But her voice warmed. “He’s wonderful. Walking everywhere. Getting into everything. Lowell’s convinced he’s going to be a linebacker. I’m convinced he’s going to be a demolition expert.”
Hank smiled. “I miss him.”
“He misses his Fuzzy. Come down for Thanksgiving. Bring your art student.”
“Let’s see how tomorrow goes first.”
