Page 82 of Eighteen (18)

I do criticize him for losing interest in his daughter though. Kids are hard, and Olivia’s easy infancy did him no favors in that department. He’s drunk more, for one. And that’s saying something since he’s been getting drunk at least once a week since Jill died.

And I do hate the fact that he’s almost never home. He’s gone all day and then only home long enough to drop off Olivia before he goes to work at night. And there are lots of mornings when I wake up and his bed was not slept in and Olivia is just gone. She isn’t as content now that she’s six months old. She has a lot more opinions and Jason can’t just give her a bottle and expect her to be satisfied. She needs a lot of attention. And she’s very loud when she doesn’t get what she needs.

“So,” Danny says. “What are your big post-grad plans? Marriage and kids with the man of your dreams?”

He’s close. I do fantasize about that. But Mateo is leaving in two days for Arizona to help install the new software at the Phoenix Planetarium. That was his first sale post-Hawaii trip and since then he’s set up a full year’s worth of consultations around the country. He says he’s even got international orders now. He officially became Dr. Mateo Alesci, PhD, last week after his defense.

It scares the fuck out of me, if I’m being honest. We’re in totally different places. I can’t go with him, obviously. I can’t leave Olivia, especially when Jason has been acting so strange.

“Shannon?”

“Huh?”

“Big future plans?”

“Oh, well, I’ve been designing the websites for Alesci’s restaurants. And Gigi wants me to make menus and marketing stuff next. So I guess I’m a graphic designer.”

“Living the dream, huh?”

“Right.”

“Why are you so pissy with me?”

“I’m not,” I say, feeling very pissy right now.

“Please.” Danny laughs. “I know you better than that. Trouble in paradise?”

“He’s just working late tonight in LA, that’s all. And he’s leaving for Phoenix on Friday, so I’m feeling needy, I guess.”

“Hmmm, working late in LA, huh?” Danny says. “I saw him a little while ago, so he must not’ve left yet.”

“Where?” I ask, startled out of my funk. “He left last night.”

“No, I swear. I saw him getting gas over by Vons.”

I don’t say anything to that, but inside I’m trying to figure out why Mateo would lie about going to LA last night.

“You should come to my party tonight and be needy with me.”

“I don’t think so. I have to watch Olivia, anyway.”

“Nah, I heard Jason say he was leaving her at Dana’s tonight so he can work. They’re tight now, I guess. I never thought they’d make a good couple, but—”

“Dana? Wait. What?” I have to stop and shake my head. “Jason and the babysitter?” What the fuck is happening to this day? First Mateo and now Jason.

“You didn’t know?” Danny looks at me like I’m an idiot. “How does that happen? He’s been over there every day for months.”

“He drops her off and goes to work all day.”

“Is that what he told you?” Danny laughs. “Jesus Christ. Forget I mentioned it.”

“Wait,” I say, grabbing his arm so he can’t walk off. “Tell me, Danny. He’s fucking the babysitter?”

“Do you care?”

“Well, not really. But I do care that he’s been lying to me all semester. I’ve been staying with Olivia every night almost so he can work that second job. Is he even working at night?”

“Oh, he’s working. He’s working for Phil, that’s where he’s working at. And that’s the only job he’s got as far as I know.”