“You don’t get to say something like that in my house and then tell me not here.”
“Tell me what I’m supposed to think.”
“I’m not talking about my relationship with Mari.”
“Then what are you talking about?”
Graham stood.
“Come with me.”
I didn’t move.
He pointed toward the kitchen.
“Please.”
“Why?”
“Because if I explain it here, you’re going to think I’m insane.”
“I passed that point about 30 seconds ago.”
“Come with me.”
He walked toward the back door.
I followed him.
***
Outside, the backyard was nearly dark.
Only the porch light and a small garden lamp near Henry’s shed were on.
Graham walked toward the far end.
“What exactly did you do?” I demanded.
He kept going.
“Graham.”
“You’ll see.”
“What exactly did you do?”
“I am not enjoying those words.”
“I wasn’t expecting you to.”
Then I noticed someone standing beside the shed.
A man.
For one second I couldn’t make out his face.
Then he stepped beneath the garden light.
I screamed.
“HENRY?”
My husband lifted both hands.
“Hi.”
I noticed someone standing beside the shed.
I stared at him.
“You are supposed to be four hours away!”
“I was this morning. I drove back early.”
“And you didn’t think to tell me?”
Henry glanced at the covered shape beside the shed. “That would’ve ruined this.”
Graham muttered, “I’m going inside.”
“No, you’re not.”
He stopped.
Henry glanced at the covered shape beside the shed.
Henry looked almost guilty.
That frightened me more than anything.
“What did you two do?”
Henry glanced toward Graham.
Graham nodded toward something large beside the shed.
It was covered with an old moving blanket.
“What is that?” I shrieked.
It was covered with an old moving blanket.
Henry took a slow step toward me.
“Mercy, before you get angry…”
“I am already angry.”
“Fair.”
“Did you make some kind of deal with Graham?”
Henry winced. “Yes.”
