something in the weather

Camille hadn't meant to over-hear Rachel and Asa's conversation, but she could tell Rachel was worried about him. She evidently didn't like this Jane. She even told Camille before she left to keep watch over him. Luckily, Asa wasn't around to hear her.

Camille wasn't sure she could. Nor even wanted to. She was trying her best to stay out of his life. Camille felt she had her own battle field to deal with at work. Sometimes, she thought she was at the bottom of the food chain, yet there were times her boss could make her feel she was the only one he could count on. Still, learning all the new computer programs at work was a bit uneasy. Why did she feel as if she were right out of high school, again.

As if that weren't enough, Drake was at it again. He was coming back to the states. He made it sound like a promise. She'd done her best to put him off. There was no need for him to try to charm her. She knew she couldn't give up her family and stay in South Africa. What ever got in to her to think that she could?

Yes, there was a time she thought Drake was the answer to all her problems. He was young, and could possibly give her everything she wanted. Or could he? No, he certainly wasn't winning any points with Josie. Camille was certain Josie hated him. There was no need for him to come back here. So she did her best to put him off. Sooner or later, he was going to see it wasn't meant to be.

But when her doorbell rang before seven that morning, she was so afraid to answer it. She was afraid Drake was back just like he warned. She looked in the peep hole. It was a sigh of relief. At least she was in her robe. This was not her early day at the radio station. If only she could have slept in.

However, she wasn't sure who was at the door. It was a kid, for goodness sake. Well, he was probably Josie's age.

"Hey, um..Josie's mom, right?" He was all grins.

"Right?" Camille couldn't imagine what this was about. As far as she knew Josie was here and she was still madly in love with Ian.

"That's your mini-van?" He pointed.

"Yeah, but.."

"Its got a flat." He told her. "I-I couldn't help but notice." His grin was pleasant.

"Oh." She hadn't driven the mini-van in months. She should have sold it a long time ago. Actually, it belonged to her ex-husband.

"I'm Zak, next door." He winced then as if she might remember him. "I could..maybe air it up, so ..if you needed to fix it. I'd be happy to help."

"OH..Zak.." When was the last time she'd seen him? Middle school? He used to be around a lot when Josie was younger.

"I'm back, I've been staying with my Dad, but I moved back." He was all grins. She wished she could offer him something, but she only had coffee.

"You're back?" She had no idea he even went away. "Don't worry about the mini-van.  We don't use it, anymore." In fact, it was just taking up space in the driveway.

"So, how is Josie?" He wanted to know.

Camille gritted a smile. She wasn't sure she wanted to open up about Josie.