Free Unsuitable by Doreen Owens Malek Page A

the end of the Jamboree. She glanced at herself in the mirror and frowned. Jason had commented on her customary neatness, and it made her a little uncomfortable to realize that his observation had been accurate. The wrinkles in her skirt and creases in her blouse made her feel like an unmade bed. She sighed and combed her hair, noting the blue shadows of fatigue under her eyes. It had not exactly been a restful night.
    As she got her things together she looked out the window at the freshly swept, washed clean day. The storm had left a litter of leaves and small branches lying about, but the sky was clear and blue. The sun was out, dappling the trees and reflecting from the still pools of rainwater which remained after the wet night. Carrie glanced at the battery operated clock on the wall. Not quite seven. She would have plenty of time to get home and change before work. Maybe Jason wouldn’t even be up yet.
    She opened the door cautiously and surveyed the hall. No one was around but she could smell coffee brewing. She walked into the kitchen, wondering what time Rose would arrive. There was a used cup and half empty glass of orange juice on the table. The remains of Jason’s breakfast? It looked as though he hadn’t eaten much.
    Carrie was considering what to do about her car when the front door opened and Jason stomped through it, calling something over his shoulder. When he turned back he saw Carrie standing in the hall and said, “Oh, you’re up. Bill and I dug your car out first thing and it’s parked outside. Would you like something to eat?”
    Carrie shook her head. “Just coffee would be fine.”
    He was wearing a cable knit pullover in eggshell wool with tan cord jeans and lace up Wellingtons. The boots were caked with mud. He paused to remove them and then brushed past Carrie into the kitchen, not meeting her eyes.
    I see, Carrie thought. We’re going to pretend nothing happened. Okay, two could play that game.
    “The car was mired; it must have been quite a job getting it out,” she said easily, following him and leaning against the counter.
    “It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be,” he answered. “I was up early so I figured I’d get it done.” In fact, he looked as though he hadn’t slept at all after she’d left him.
    Jason poured Carrie a cup of coffee and handed it to her. “Bill used the tow on the jeep,” he went on, obviously glad that she wasn’t going to broach the subject of the previous night. “That made the whole project a lot easier. The lawn’s a bog though, the stone walkway flooded right out.”
    “What about the footbridge?” Carrie asked, taking a sip.
    “It’s open. The crew was out at first light. Power’s back on, too, as you can see.”
    In view of what had taken place between them only a few hours before the conversation was ludicrous, but Carrie went along with him. She knew why he had chosen to ignore their nocturnal encounter. She had seen past his guard, and in the cold, clear air of morning he resented it. She had witnessed his terror and his need for warmth and closeness in its aftermath. But now Jason was himself again and his vulnerability embarrassed him.
    “Should I say goodbye to Johnny?” she asked abruptly, setting down her cup.
    He was picking up his dishes, his back to her. He shook his head. “He’s still sleeping, won’t be up for an hour or so. I ’ll tell him that you wanted to see him but decided not to wake him.”
    Carrie watched as he put the dishes in the sink and then faced her. They looked at one another, and for an instant she thought he was about to say something significant. But then he looked away and said casually, “I’ll walk you out.” He returned to the hall and put on his boots.
    Carrie went to the closet and got her coat. Jason took it from her and helped her into it, releasing it the second her arms touched the sleeves. He picked up her pile of books from the stand by the entrance, and they went out in