Chapter seven. The inane conversation over dinner was endless and Jill found it hard to keep an interested look on her face

The inane conversation over dinner was endless and Jill found it hard to keep an interested look on her face. She'd heard Craig's childhood stories more times than she could count—they all had—yet his mother continued, droning on and on until Jill felt her eyes rolling to the back of her head.

" Grandma, tell the one where Dad fell out of the tree, " Angie coaxed.

" Oh, I remember when that happened, " Craig's uncle chimed in.

Jill looked across the table at Craig, silently begging him to put an end to the storytelling. He gave her a subtle wink then turned his attention to his mother who had already begun the story.

Rude or not, Jill simply could not stand it another second. She stood, quietly pointing to the bathroom. Her mother-in-law never missed a beat.

She closed the door then turned on the water, letting the sound drown out the voices in the other room. She met her eyes in the mirror, wondering at her irritability this evening. Of course her in-laws got on her nerves—they always had—but she thought she'd be used to it by now. The once-a-month dinner party his parents hosted had become so routine, Jill hardly gave it a thought anymore. But tonight, she simply could not take another second of it. She sighed, then brushed at the blond hair covering her ears, then fluffed her bangs a bit. She sighed again.

The restlessness she'd felt all day seemed to escalate as she sat through dinner, growing with each word her mother-in-law uttered. As she stared into the mirror, she saw the truth in her hazel eyes and she knew why she felt restless. She didn't understand it, but she knew why.

It was Saturday.

And as her luck would have it, Monday proved to be a rainy day. She didn't care. She went to the park anyway.

It was empty.

So she sat in her car, her disappointment nearly choking her as she nibbled at her sandwich. No, she didn't understand it. How could she become obsessed with a woman she'd known but a week? What was it about Carrie Howell that drew her?

Lost in thought, she gasped at the urgent knocking on her window. She wiped at the fog on the glass, her smile matching that of Carrie's as the other woman stared back at her.

Jill quickly unlocked the doors, watching as Carrie hurried around to the passenger's door, pausing to close her umbrella before getting inside.

" Are you crazy? " Jill asked as the dripping woman got inside her car.

" Apparently. Sorry about your seat here."

" I doubt you could possibly do damage to this old car."

Jill watched as Carrie ran wet hands through her hair, brushing at the drops of water that clung to her short strands.

" I never told you this before, but I love your hair, " Jill said without thinking.

" Thanks. I gave up coloring it about ten years ago. Runs in the family. My mother was totally gray by forty so I've got her beat. I still have a little pepper mixed in."

" How old are you? "

" Forty-three. You? "

" Still clinging to thirty-nine. For a few more months anyway."

" Well, we'll celebrate. Forty is a great year."

" I think you're the only woman I've ever heard say that." Jill smiled. " And what are you doing out here in the rain? "

" I could ask you the same question." Carrie's eyes softened as they looked at Jill. " But I imagine you're doing the same thing I am.

Jill nodded. " I... yes, I suppose I am."

" So, how was your weekend? "

" Endless."

" Funny. That's how I was going to describe mine."

" We had dinner at Craig's parents' house Saturday night. A family thing. Some of his out-of-town relatives showed up."

" You don't get along with the in-laws? "

" We tolerate each other. His mother has not forgiven me for quitting teaching. That's just one on a long list of shortcomings I have."

" Let me guess. Craig is an only child? "

" Right."

" Mothers-in-law can be brutal."

" Yours? "

Carrie smiled. " No, she's actually a sweetheart. I get along better with her than my own mother."

" I guess I was lucky in that regard. My mother and I rarely had arguments. And she's my saving grace now whenever Arlene pisses me off. But I don't get to see her much. She remarried after my father died. Now they spend their time traveling around in a motor home."

" Oh, how fun. Just imagine the freedom."

" Yeah. I miss seeing her but she's having a blast. I can't begrudge her for that."

A loud clap of thunder nearly shook the vehicle and the steady drizzle of earlier turned into a downpour. They looked at each other and smiled.

" You may be stuck in here, " Jill said.

" Well, I could think of worse places to be stuck." She glanced at her watch. " But you only have twenty minutes left. I should have come earlier."

" Six minutes. That's how long it takes to drive back to the office. But it won't be the end of the world if I'm late."

" No, but I bet it would be shocking. I picture you as one of those very punctual types and it probably drives you crazy to be late somewhere."

Jill laughed. " And how do you know this? "

" Because you get to the park at exactly five after one each day and leave the park at exactly seven till two."

Jill laughed again. " It gives me a minute to spare."

" But you haven't finished your lunch, " Carrie said, pointing to the half-eaten sandwich. " I shouldn't have barged in on you. I just took a chance you might be here."

" Actually, I was disappointed it was raining. I didn't think you'd be here. I mean, not that I expect you to entertain me during lunch or anything, " she added quickly.

Carrie laughed. " I enjoy your company too. I don't have a lot of girlfriends anymore, " she said. " It seems that once I retired from real estate, I just lost touch with most of them. James and I have couple friends but I don't really have any close friends all to myself."

" I know what you mean. Our friends are other coaches and their wives. Or his softball buddies and their wives."

" Funny how that is, isn't it."

" I'm not nearly as outgoing as he is, " Jill explained. " I enjoy my alone time too much. Craig, on the other hand, has to have constant entertainment, either in person or on his cell. I swear, he sleeps with the damn thing."

" I've got one just like that. I can relate."

" You probably don't even have a cell phone, do you? "

Carrie laughed. " I was the one sleeping with it when I was working. I mean, I have one still but I rarely have it on unless I need to call someone. I don't like the interruptions."

They sat for a moment, both quiet. Jill knew she should be leaving and she glanced quickly at her watch.

" I know. You need to go."

Jill nodded slowly. " Yes. Time. But it's pouring. Can I drop you somewhere? "

" Oh, no. I love the rain, really. When it's over and the sun comes out, everything is all fresh and clean. I love it. Besides, I know the more rain we get now, the greener it'll be come spring." She smiled. " Colors, my dear. An artist's best friend."

" Well, maybe tomorrow—"

" We'll have sunshine, " Carrie finished for her. She reached to the floorboard of the car and retrieved her wet umbrella. " Drive carefully, Jill."

Before Jill could reply, Carrie had slipped out into the rain. She was but a shadow through the foggy windows and Jill sat for a moment, watching her disappear into the trees.