“I know exactly what you meant.”

That afternoon the old Jessie showed up sullen, angry, and unkempt. When I asked what was wrong she said, “Michael’s an asshole.”

“He called?”

“She did.”

“Nicki called you?”

Jessie showed me an ugly look. “Why is that so hard to believe? We talk all the time.”

“You do?” Alison said. “About what?”

Jessie suddenly looked defensive. “I didn’t mean we talk all the time. I don’t bother her, or anything like that. We probably talk a few minutes every other week.”

I said, “Why’s Michael being an asshole?”

“They had another fight. She left him.”

Alison said, “I wouldn’t worry. From what I gather it happens all the time. And she always comes back.”

“One day she won’t,” Jessie said. “And we’ll never see her again.”

“You sound more upset about it than Michael.”

Jessie gave her mom a withering look, then stormed out of the room.

“Maybe it’s best they finally break up for good,” Alison said. “She’s affecting both our kids.”

I said, “Personally, I like Jessie better when Nicki and Michael are getting along.”

“Me too.”

Of course, Michael turned out to be right: Nicki came back. We didn’t see her on Labor Day, due to the breakup, but she was back in time for Alison’s birthday in October, and she and Michael spent Thanksgiving with us, and Christmas, and then—surprise—another breakup, but—bigger surprise, Nicki showed up for Jessie’s birthday anyway, which delighted Jessie more than all her gifts combined. That was late January. By Valentine’s Day she and Michael were back together, and visited us the following week. And every time she showed up, it had a positive impact on our family, especially Jessie. Our inside joke was as long as Michael and Nicki are together, Alison and I get to live with Good Jessie.

5.

First Move

IF I HAD to pick the exact date and time Nicki made her first move on me I’d say Christmas morning, as the family opened presents. She bought Jessie some sort of miniature Bluetooth music player and pre-loaded it with all sorts of dreadful music that turned out to be Jessie’s favorite artists. When Nicki named some of the people, I was the only one in the room who didn’t know them. Naturally, this gave the whole family the opportunity to make fun of Old David and my “ancient” taste in music. As they ribbed me I noticed Nicki was smiling politely, but didn’t join in. And when Alison made a snide remark about my favorite band: “You’ll have to forgive him, Nicki. David’s idea of great music is Rush, which happens to be the number one most hated band in the history of music!” —Nicki’s smile faded, and she said: “Actually, I like Rush.” Then she looked directly into my eyes and said, “Especially Double Agent.”

To most people, that remark wouldn’t remotely be considered “making a move on David.” But the fact she publicly stood up for me after my wife’s insult…well, that got my attention.

Had it stopped there, I wouldn’t have considered it excessive flirtation. But the next night while waiting for everyone to get dressed to go out to dinner, I was sitting alone in the den, enjoying a drink. To my utter shock Nicki came up behind me, kissed my cheek and whispered, “You look amazing, David!”

Her words and kiss played in my mind day and night for weeks. That night at dinner I tried to avoid looking at her, but couldn’t help myself. At one point she and Jessie got up to use the bathroom and when they reentered the room Nicki gave me a perfect wink. In other words, when she closed her right eye nothing else moved. Not her jaw, her nose, her cheek…it was practiced, perfect, and it conveyed a distinct message.

That night, lying in bed, I replayed it over and over in my mind. She stuck up for me against Alison.