Page 98 of We All Live Here
“But what did he—”
“What’s the difference?” The man’s voice booms across the shop. He is staring at the tubes.
“I’m sorry?”
“Between goo-arsh and watercolors. Can you mix them? They’re formy wife. I’m not really a painter. Come to think of it neither is she. She’s trying to find something for her mental health. I told her Valium would be cheaper but apparently the GP disagrees. Haha!”
He’s delighted with his own joke.
Jessie gives her head a tiny shake. “It’s similar to watercolor but less opaque. It has a high percentage of chalk,” she says, like someone reciting the words.
“Is it cheaper?”
“What?”
“Which is cheaper?”
“Depends.” Jessie turns abruptly to Lila, her face incredulous. “Are yousure?”
“That I slept with him? Er, yes?”
“Which one?” the man repeats.
Jessie drags her attention back to him impatiently. “It depends on the brand. The prices are on the shelf.” She stands there, her hands dangling at her sides, apparently still trying to digest Lila’s news.
“I’m so sorry,” says Lila. “Obviously if I’d known he was involved with someone else I wouldn’t have gone near him.”
“He didn’t say anything about me?”
“Not a word.” It is this that seems to wound Jessie more than anything. Lila can’t help herself. She hesitates, then says: “I have to ask you something. Did he call you by a name? Other than your name, I mean?”
The man has taken two steps back toward them. “Can you tell me where I would find Burned Umber?”
Jessie screws up her eyes. “It’s dark orange,” she says, waving a hand behind her at the shelf. “They’re all labeled. He called me ‘carina.’ It means ‘cute.’ It was our thing.”
“He called me Bella. That was ours.”
“Bella,” she repeats.
“And Cadmium Orange?”
“On the shelf,” Jessie says, louder this time. And then to Lila: “But I don’t understand. I’ve been seeing him for almost a year!”
“I promise he didn’t say a word. I thought—I thought he was still getting over the death of his wife.”
“So did I!”
“I hate to interrupt your little conversation, but I need to find these colors.”
“He was sleeping with both of us at the same time?”
“It looks like it.”
“UGH!” Jessie’s face is anguished.
“I just…I had to tell you. I mean obviously I’m never seeing him again so it’s up to you what you decide, but I couldn’t let you go on without knowing who you were dealing with.”
“Oh, my God. He picked uptwo mothers in the same school playground?” Jessie’s voice is lifting in pitch as the full horror sinks in.
