was.
The following Thursday, I was taking the trash outside when Derek pulled into our driveway.
I noticed Audrey leaning through his open driver’s-side window.
She was gripping the edge of his sleeve.
“But you promised you’d talk to her,” I heard her say.
Derek looked uncomfortable.
“Audrey, not now.”
“Please.”
He glanced toward the house and noticed me.
His expression immediately changed.
He smiled.
“Hey! Everything okay?”
I walked closer.
“That’s what I was about to ask.”
Audrey let go of his sleeve and hurried toward the front door.
I watched her disappear inside.
Then I looked at Derek.
“What was that about?”
He laughed.
“Oh, nothing serious. She’s upset because we didn’t stop at the drive-through.”
I frowned.
“She has dinner waiting inside.”
“Exactly. I told her we’d be home soon enough.”
He gave me another smile.
“Teenagers, right?”
Before I could ask anything else, he drove away.
