Surprise

Con listens quietly, driving with no destination in mind. As Katie talks about Jason, he’s filled with a sad disappointment. He had had no contact with his friend at all, but he trusted Katie’s observation. If anyone could tell if Jason had changed, it would be her.

When Katie mentions another, Con’s eyebrows shoot up and he glances in her direction. Despite a disappointment in Jason, Con was very surprised to hear she would have found someone else. Never would he have imagined she would give up on Jason or discover a relationship with another man.

As Katie concludes, Con lets out a long sigh, unsure how to respond, if he should even respond at all.

“Well, Kat…I’m sorry you’ve been having such a rough time of it.” He reaches over to give her shoulder an encouraging squeeze. “Sometimes life throws us a few extra lemons, doesn’t it.”

After thinking a moment and turning down a back country road, he speaks again. “You know…I guess I’m a might surprised you’ve given up on Jason before he’s even gotten home… I believe you when you say he’s changed, but …well, don’t you think you should see what kind of a person he is when he gets out? He might very well snap back to himself.”

Con reasons aloud. “Of course…I can’t blame you either. If Jason’s been pushing you away, what were you supposed to do…you can’t stop your life because of him. And I know without him letting you into his feelings, that’s gotta hurt something awful and be a pretty lonely road.”

He bites his tongue from asking what he wants to, but then decides to go ahead anyway. The most she could do was not tell him. “Kat…I don’t want to be nosey or ask you something you don’t want to answer, but…who is this other man? Is it Wyatt?”