Page 41 of Proof

Wanda sauntered over with a basket of wipes and the check. Chris pulled out a couple of twenties and placed them on the plastic tray. “Ready, partner?”

“Ready.”

Chris walked behind Carter and placed both hands on his son’s shoulders. “We’ve gotta make a stop on the way home.”

“Ice cream?” Carter crossed both fingers.

“I have some in the freezer.” He leaned in and whispered in Carter’s ear. “But first we gotta get you something for that zit that’s about to explode.”

Carter instinctively touched the part of his face his father was referring to. “And don’t keep touching it,” Chris instructed him.

They pulled into the lot of a national pharmacy chain. “I hope you’re not eating too much junk,” Chris said, as they walked past a very long aisle filled with chemically treated snacks. Chris jerked his thumb at the rows of chip-filled bags. “There isn’t one thing on those shelves that’s good for you.” Chris had had this conversation with his son many times, but the boy was a burgeoning teenager, so it didn’t hurt to drop some reminders.

“Yeah, I know.” Carter frowned. He didn’t want to tell his father that his mother sent him to school with a packet of MSG-and-sodium-enriched snacks all the time. But Carter wasn’t a dummy and rarely broke open a package. Normally, he’d toss the bag over to someone sitting at the same cafeteria table. Then Carter wondered, by not telling his father, was he technically lying? He decided to broach the subject. “Dad? If someone leaves out information, does that mean they’re not telling the truth?”

“It depends. In court, they want you to tell the whole truth, but again, it depends on what information they’re seeking.” Chris thought he might be talking over his son’s head. “What’s on your mind? Can you give me an example?”

“If Mom does something that I know you don’t like, and I don’t tell you, is that a lie?”

Chris was growing suspicious. “For example?”

“She packs one of those snack bags in my lunch all the time.”

Chris chuckled. “As long as you don’t eat it.”

“Not usually.”

“Well, if you want to keep that complexion of yours clear, you’ll steer away from junk, including soda. Sugar, too much salt, and preservatives aren’t good for you. I mean, you probably won’t die from it, but an apple or a handful of nuts are a better option.”

“Got it.”

They approached the section that carried dozens upon dozens of different brands of facial cleansers, treatments, serums, and lotions. Chris grabbed a jar of charcoal facewash and Axe aqua and bergamot body wash, the same as he used at home. “You like this stuff, right?”

“Yeah. Mom always says I smell like you when I come back after spending a weekend with you.”

Chris laughed and realized he had been using the same personal hygiene items for years. “Does she get bent out of shape about it?”

“Nah. I think it’s kinda funny. I think I smell better than Bruce.” Carter snickered. “Maybe she’s trying to give him a hint.”

“Well, now you can smell like me all the time. You’re taking this stuff to your mother’s.” Chris slapped the bag against Carter’s chest.

“Cool.”

As they were nearing Chris’s house, Carter turned to his father. “Dad? Are you and Luna ever going to get married?”

Chris was stunned by the question. “I . . . I don’t know. Why?”

Carter shrugged. “You’ve been seeing each other for a couple of years.”

“I know, but she lives two hours away. One of us would have to move, and I’m not in a position to do that now. Besides, you don’t want to move, right?”

“Correct. But if she wanted to move, would you ask her?” Carter was digging for info.

“I wouldn’t expect her to give up her life in Asheville.”

“Why don’t you ask her?”

Chris was solemn for a moment. “How would you feel if I did?”

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