One Last Thing Before I Go

going to kick in at some point and I just need to hang out in this holding pattern until it does.”
    Denise looks over at him. “What changed?”
    He shakes his head, trying to figure it out. “I don’t know. I think I lost track of time. Every day felt the same, so it felt like forever, but also like no time was actually passing. Like the universe was on pause. And then Casey showed up pregnant, and you’re getting married, and I realized that there’s always been a part of me that thought I would catch my breath and then pick up where we all left off. But then I turned around, and it was too late. You had both moved on.”
    Denise nods sadly. “You’re quite the asshole, Silver,” she says, her voice devoid of any anger, like she’s just pointing it out to be helpful.
    “I know it,” he says.
    “And now you’re just going to wait for your heart to burst and take the easy way out.”
    “In the absence of any better ideas.”
    “Well, do me a favor and don’t die today, OK? Today I need you. Can you do that much for me?”
    He nods and closes his eyes again. “You got it.”
    * * *
    They pull up to the lake house at the latest part of the afternoon, just as the light is changing and the sun is starting to dim over the far side of the lake. Casey’s white Infiniti is parked behind Rich’s Audi. Silver steps out of the car and looks up at the house. “Nice place,” he says. He looks over at Denise standing on the other side of the car looking agitated.
    “You want me to wait in the car?” he says. “You know, until you’ve made contact.”
    She gives him a withering look. “Don’t you dare wimp out on me.”
    “I’m not,” he says. “I just thought, given the circumstances, that seeing me here with you might upset him.”
    “He’s already upset.”
    “You know what I mean.”
    “He hates me. They both do. How do I even face them after fucking up so badly.”
    He offers up what he hopes is a slightly rakish smile. “Stick with me,” he says, heading toward the house. “I do it every day.”

CHAPTER 40
    “Y ou can’t come in!”
    Casey’s voice stops him in his tracks. He and Denise look up to see her standing on the second-story deck, looking down at them.
    “Hey, there.”
    “Shut up, Silver.”
    “Casey, honey,” Denise says. “I was worried about you.”
    “What about, Rich? Are you worried about him, too?”
    “Of course I am.”
    “Well, don’t be. He’s fine.”
    “Honey, why don’t you come down here and talk to us.”
    Casey shakes her head. “So what, you guys are together now?”
    Denise looks at Silver then up at her. “No, honey, it’s not like that.”
    “So just a quick lay for old time’s sake? And I thought my timing sucked.”
    “I know, honey. I’m so sorry.”
    “Don’t apologize to me. I wasn’t your fiancé.”
    Denise looks at Silver, her eyes filling with tears. He’s been tapped in. He considers faking a heart attack to lure her down, but that seems like a shitty trick to pull on your kid. Still, he sets the idea aside as a last resort.
    “Why don’t you let us in?” he says.
    “It’s not my house,” she says. “It’s Rich’s, and he doesn’t want you here.”
    “Then come down. I can’t really see you.”
    “You know what I look like.” Casey rests her forearms on the railing and leans forward casually, like she’s taking in the view.
    “At least she’s talking to us,” Silver says to Denise.
    Denise shakes her head, then goes to the front door and knocks. “Rich, please! Let me in. I need to explain.”
    Silver thinks he wouldn’t mind hearing that explanation himself.
    “Come on,” he calls up to Casey. “Let’s give Rich and your mom some privacy.”
    “Says the man who fucked up their relationship.” Casey boosts herself up onto the railing and swings her legs over.
    “What are you doing?” Silver says, alarmed.
    “Rich!” Denise shouts, pounding on the door.
    “He’s not going to open it,” Casey says.
    “I’m not leaving until he does.” She bangs on the door some more.
    “Why are you so angry?” Silver says.
    “Are you seriously asking me that?”
    “I am.”
    Denise stops hitting the door and looks over at Silver, then up to Casey, who slides her legs down until her heels find purchase on the thin ledge between the rail spindles. Then she leans forward into the air, holding on with one hand to the railing behind her.
    “What are you doing?!” Denise cries out, alarmed. “Stop