Chapter five. Jill was surprised to see Craig's truck in the driveway when she got home that afternoon

Jill was surprised to see Craig's truck in the driveway when she got home that afternoon. She knew he didn't have a game but they usually practiced after school. She noticed two things when she walked into the kitchen. One, dinner was in the oven. He'd apparently found the casserole she'd made the night before. And two, the washer and dryer were both running.

" Craig? " she called.

" In here."

She found him in his recliner, the remote control in one hand and his cell phone in the other. A basketball game was on.

" Thanks for starting dinner, " she said as she walked behind him, lightly squeezing his shoulder. " And laundry."

" How was your day? "

She smiled and shrugged. " Same as always." She rarely spoke about her job. On the few occasions she did try to share something with him, she could tell he was totally disinterested. If it didn't have to do with sports, his attention span was that of a ten-year-old. " You? "

" Short day. I blew off practice. We were awesome last night. I told them to take a day off."

" Well that was nice of you." She moved away. " Was Angie here? She had band practice."

" Yeah, I took her. She's going to catch a ride home."

" So I'm assuming she didn't give you grief like she did me this morning? "

Craig laughed. " The way I heard it, you gave her grief. My mother said Angie called her in tears."

Jill sighed. " And what else did your mother say? "

" Oh, the usual. By the way, we're invited to dinner Saturday night."

" Can't wait, " she murmured as she left the room.

Alone in their bedroom, she undressed quickly, intending to take a shower before dinner. But Craig surprised her when he opened the door.

" We've got thirty minutes before Angie is home, " he said, his eyebrows rising mischievously. He smiled, causing his moustache to crinkle at the corners.

But she closed her eyes and shook her head< " I'm not really in the mood, Craig, " she said quietly.

He walked closer. " It's been a long time, babe."

" Yes, I know. It's been awhile since we've both actually been here at the same time."

" So? Is that a yes? "

Before she could answer, his cell rang. He looked at it, then back at Jill. " Sorry, babe, but I've got to take this."

She shook her head, surprised at the relief she felt as he closed the door behind him. No, she wasn't in the mood, but that hadn't stopped her before. But for some reason, this time she couldn't muster the energy to fake it.

And instead of the quick shower she'd planned, she filled the tub with water, adding scents and oils to the hot water. She lit the lone candle she kept there then turned the lights down. It was a romantic setting. So before she slipped into the warm water, she locked the bathroom door. Just in case.

She let the water envelope her, sinking down to her neck and closing her eyes. She wasn't surprised when thoughts of Carrie Howell danced in her mind.