A Cold Wife, Sweet Husband

They would be getting the wrong idea. He was noticeably relieved. Maybe you should have married Mr. Monroe since you care so much about him. Be serious. Is this why you visited me? Did you want to bother me? I just wanted to see how things are going.

They're the same as they were yesterday when you came over. What do you expect? She ate more of the pizza. You really should try this. It's excellent. I've been trying all of Jim's pizzas in the afternoon and I eat so much that I don't have much room for dinner. I hope Louis doesn't think I'm being rude. His meals are good too.

Will you listen to yourself? What? She couldn't believe that Brad had a problem that she chose to compliment someone. I wish you would take the time to praise Leo like you praise the cook.

Are we back to that? I told you that nothing is going on between me and Jim. Is there something going on between you and Leo? That's none of your business. Do you realize the whole town is calling you The Icy Wife?

There's nothing I can do to stop people from talking. She was quickly losing her appetite. She forced herself to finish her second slice of pizza before swallowing the rest of the wine. Her brother could drive anyone to drink with his insistent nagging.

There is plenty you can do to stop them from calling you that. I can't believe we're having this discussion. She turned to face him and set one elbow on the table and one hand on her hip. Do you want me to make love to him in the middle of town? You don't have to be sarcastic. I wish you would give up on pestering me. Now, do you want to see what I did with the parlor so far?

He sighed. Do you care for Leo at all? I'll answer that question when I'm ready to. I won't tell you anything just because you try to force it out of me. He grumbled but reluctantly stood up to follow her to the parlor.

She knew that her new curtains and display case with the cute figurines would bore him to tears, so she intentionally went into detail about all of them until he couldn't take it anymore and politely left the house. She smiled in satisfaction. That will teach him to bother me.

***

The next afternoon, she went to the orphanage with two of Jim's pizzas. She thought the children might like to try something different for lunch. She noticed that Ryan didn't eat his food though Mrs. Tobias tried to feed him. He's been this way ever since he came here, Mrs. Tobias informed her.

He barely eats or drinks anything. He spends most of his time s.u.c.k.i.n.g his thumb and sitting with his blanket. It's not easy to watch. Something about Ryan tugged at Jessica's heart. When she looked at the blond-haired, brown-eyed boy, she couldn't help but recall how Leo's parents died when he was two.

Unlike Ryan, Leo had an uncle who was willing to take him into his home and raise him. She didn't know much about children, except the few times when she helped with Sunday school. She had only made treats for the children at the orphanage. She smiled at the boy. Hello, Ryan. He looked up but didn't respond.