[Now, of all times, you choose to vanish?]
[Dad's not well, he can't deal with this stress. Can't you just play along?]
[I'm really disappointed in you.]
Confronted with her accusations, I remained silent.
Not that I didn't want to respond—I simply couldn't.
Quietly, trailing behind her, I murmured, "I'm sorry."
Eventually, Jessica did head back to her dad's place with someone.
And that someone, of course, was Mike.
"It's been ages since I've seen Mr. Harris. Perfect day for a visit," Mike remarked, his smile lighting up.
Jessica almost said no, but Mike wasn't having it.
"So we didn't work out—can't we still be friends?"
"Besides, your husband's MIA today. Doubt he'd mind a bit."
That seemed to settle it, and she got in the car with him.
The ride over was awkward, Mike trying to make small talk to break the ice.
"Had to leave the Beetle at the shop. Lucky I had this spare car."
"That guy I hit—still no one's claimed him."
"Tragic, really. Heard he clung to a bluebell bracelet as he died. Meant a lot, probably."
Jessica had been zoning out, staring out the window.
Suddenly, she snapped around. "What bracelet?"