“I don’t know.” A shiny one. Rachel stared into the darkness.
Their bedroom. Not the guest room. Natalie had been in their bedroom Sunday morning. Rachel touched Sophie’s hair.
“Go back to sleep, baby.” The child did within minutes. Rachel did not move until dawn. At six-thirty, she went downstairs. David was awake on the sectional, staring at the ceiling. He sat up when he saw her.
Rachel stood in the doorway between the living room and kitchen. “What was Natalie doing in our bedroom Sunday morning?” His face answered before his mouth did. Rachel watched him understand exactly how she knew.
“Sophie told you.” “That is not an answer.” David looked down.
“She was looking for an earring.” “In our bedroom.” “Yes.” “Why?”
He rubbed his eyes. “It could have fallen in there.” Rachel almost laughed. “How?”
Silence. “How does an earring fall in my bedroom if she slept in the guest room?” David stood.
Rachel stepped back automatically. He noticed and stopped. The recognition on his face hurt in a new way. “I never touched you,” he said.
“I know.” “I’m not going to.” “I know.” “Then don’t look at me like that.” Rachel felt anger sharpen her exhaustion.
“I am looking at you like I don’t know you.” David sat back down. For several seconds, neither spoke. Then he said, “We kissed.” Rachel closed her eyes. One installment.
“We kissed Saturday night,” he continued. “After Sophie went upstairs.” Rachel opened her eyes. “Where?”
He swallowed. “In the kitchen.” “Then why was she in our bedroom?” Another silence.