Chapter 4: Di

Carrie had the broad fake smile and limp handshake Di had come to associate with bitchy women. Mentally shaking herself, she pushed away her prejudice to give Carrie a chance for Jason's sake.

"Nice to meet ya," Di whispered as she let go of Carrie's hand.

Jason looked back and forth between them like a dog who didn't know who was going to throw the ball next. His eager expression made Di feel vaguely guilty for her negative thoughts.

"Well, aren't you just a doll," Carrie said with a syrupy sweetness that didn't reach her eyes. "The way Jason described you I expected you to be a girl."

"She is a girl," Jason said as his eyebrows drew together.

"Oh, she's a bit older than you said," Carrie chastened him, then returned her eyes to Di. "But such a tiny thing. I bet your momma wasn't much bigger than you are. Am I right?"

Di couldn't maintain eye contact and looked at her fingers. "I don't know. I was only three when she left me in the hospital." Then she cursed herself for even mentioning it.

"You were in the hospital?" Jason asked, still struggling to follow what was passing between Carrie and Di. "Wait, why were you in the hospital?"

"Nevermind," Di whispered. "I'll get supper on the table."

She hurried to the kitchen and grabbed the ceramic serving platter for the pot roast. While she plated the meat, potatoes, and carrots, she heard Jason and Carrie having a whispered conversation. She couldn't make out what they were saying, but Jason sounded angry. Her stomach twisted as she worried about how easily Carrie could ruin living with Jason. After she put the spare ribs and squash casserole on the dining room table, Di went back for the buttered split-top rolls and sweet tea.

"Supper's ready," Di called from the dining room. Carrie was red faced when she led Jason to the table. He gave Di a sorrowful look as he passed and mouthed, Sorry.

The conversation stalled as the three of them loaded their plates. Di didn't have much of an appetite, but Jason heaped his plate full. Carrie kept a sour look on her face until her first bite.

"Oh my God, this tastes amazing," she murmured around the spare rib meat in her mouth.

"And it's tender enough to cut with a fork." Jason had a blissful expression on his face as he took another bite. "Oh, Di, this is awesome."

"Thanks," she said as she gave Jason a shy smile.

He had been so sweet all month despite her early fear he might be a pervy older guy. After a couple of days it was obvious he never thought of her that way. She was just a kid to him, but his kindness had begun to make her fantasize about the future. Jason might be good looking, but Di's dream revolved more around how safe he made her feel. It was a dream she hadn't allowed herself to have for a long time.

"We ate like this all month," Jason said to Carrie with a big grin.

Carrie looked between Jason and Di with a thin lipped expression. "Really."

Di picked up on Carrie's insecurity and frowned down at her plate. Jason was oblivious as he continued to praise Di for her hard work around the house. With every compliment Carrie grew more annoyed until Di finally had to stop him.

"Jason talks about you all the time. How did you guys meet?" Di asked Carrie when Jason paused for a moment.

Carrie sighed and smiled at Jason. "He came in for a haircut right after he moved back. I can't believe it's been three months already. You should come in sometime and let me fix ... that." Carrie looked at Di's hair with an expression of pity.

"You guys make a cute couple." Di nearly choked on the lie. He could do so much better than you.

"Yeah," Jason said with an uneasy smile.

"He took me to stay at the resort near Fontana Dam last month." Carrie delivered the statement with a purr and pointed look like she wanted Di to be jealous.

"Oh, hey, speaking of resorts, I got a new customer today," Jason said, but Di wanted to kick him under the table. "He's some kind of resort manager down in Orlando."

"You want another roll?" Di asked them while holding the bread basket, trying to stop Jason from bringing the trip up. He missed her intention and shook his head at her offer.

"He's left his RV here for me to fix next week and paid me extra to drive it to Orlando for him next weekend." He nodded at Carrie like he expected an enthusiastic response.

"But I have to work," Carrie whispered.

Jason's confused expression made it clear he hadn't intended to invite Carrie along. Di looked down at that point and focused on her plate, bracing herself for what she knew would follow.