They returned to the windows with their numbers folded into pockets. Something had changed. For the first time since meeting, their futures were no longer arranged in the same direction by accident. Claire hated how much that mattered.
“You should take it,” Jack said. “I know.” “Your sister.” “I know.”
He looked at her. “Claire.” “Don’t be noble yet. It’s irritating.”
“I’m not being noble. I’m protecting myself from being blamed by your mother.” She laughed but looked away. At eleven-thirty, Jack went to call home again.
Claire watched him from the chairs as he stood at the payphone with his shoulders slightly hunched. He spoke more quietly this time. She could not hear much. Then his posture changed. His head lowered.
When he returned, something in his face had opened. “My father answered,” he said. Claire waited. “He said my mother put him on the phone because she was tired of two grown men using geography as an excuse.”
“What did you say?” “I told him I’m taking the Boston job.” Claire’s mouth opened. “You are?”
“I think so.” “You decided in the last ten minutes?” “No. I admitted what I decided a month ago.”