Rosemary cracks open the bottle of Pinot Noir as soon as she comes out of the liquor store. Gregory is still getting used to the idea that a good bottle of wine can come with a screw-on cap. On the seat between them, they take turns swigging from the bottle. The wine feels warm, cloying on his tongue and Gregory finds himself relaxing. What can he do but let go of his disappointment? Rosemary watches the road, taking a sip only every now and then, eyes never leaving the asphalt unrolling beneath the Prius.
“You’re too careful,” Gregory whispers. In spite of the fact that she’s drinking and driving, he knows his wife’s mind and how she’s on the alert for the deep blue sedans that mark the patrol cars of their area.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
His friends at North Elementary school had always env
