12
Rachel and Jo continued a conversation between them about possibly going to the Hollywood Bowl on Friday night for some jazz thing. Amanda and Christy were going, after all. They’re cute, not too obnoxious according to Rachel, and Jo agreed without much enthusiasm - most likely reduced enthusiasm for Darren’s sake - and so the plan was settled.
At that point Rachel also noticed Jim. “Jimmy baby! Come ‘ere my little boy!” Darren watched as Jim in his slow cat way got up from his regal sitting position and approached her chair, paused for a moment, then made the jump onto Rachel’s lap. Darren noticed that Jo looked as uncomfortable as she had all day, sipping at her mug that he was sure must be empty by now. His and the cat’s gaze once again met for just a moment as Jim allowed Rachel to pet and baby him.
Darren rose from his chair, holding the mug. “Time to go.”
“Really? Already?” said Rachel, then added, referring to the coffee cup, “Just leave it, I’ll wash it.”
“I’ll do it.”
“No, really, I’ll-”
“I’ll do it.”
With an air of authority and even defiance, Darren dumped the rest of the coffee from the mug into the sink, washed it out, and rather than simply place it in the drying rack, he dried it thoroughly and put it back in the cupboard. The conversation in the next room was hushed and ceased completely when he reentered. Rachel quickly replaced the silence with her familiar over-politeness, too loud for the room by half. “Jim sure does seem happy that you visited, Darren! Aren’t you boy?”
“I’ll show you out,” Jo said as she got up from the table. Rachel took Jim’s paw between her fingers and moved it up and down as if waving goodbye, and issued a high-pitched, “Bye, Darren!” Darren didn’t wave back as he could see that Jim was not looking at him, focused with some