It's. Nice. Outside. by Jim Kokoris Page A

pool.”
    My mind began to reel. “Indoor or outdoor?”
    â€œWhat difference does it make, John? My God!”
    â€œYou’re right. I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I can’t think straight. Just calm down.”
    â€œDon’t tell me to calm down! Do you know what I’ve been through, any idea?”
    â€œHow is she? Can I talk to her? Is she there?”
    â€œShe’s in her room. She doesn’t want to talk to anyone.”
    â€œI can’t believe this. What do we do now?”
    â€œNothing.”
    â€œWe have to do something. Start calling people.”
    â€œSally and Sal are taking care of everything. Calling everyone. The caterer, the band. We have to pay for some rooms, most of the rooms, probably.”
    â€œGod, I cannot believe this.”
    â€œWe were lucky that this happened now, not two days from now. No one’s really here but us. But we’re going to have to pay for the rooms.”
    I was silent, overwhelmed.
    â€œHello? John? Am I keeping you from something?”
    â€œI don’t know what to say.” I paused. “Okay, I know I must know her, but who is this Penny person again?”
    â€œA bridesmaid. A sorority sister.”
    â€œI don’t know her.”
    â€œYou know her.”
    â€œWell, I don’t remember her,” I said.
    â€œI never liked him. From the start. Never trusted him, that jaw of his. His family, they all have that same damn jaw.”
    â€œLet’s try to focus on Karen.”
    â€œIf you cared so much about Karen, you’d be here by now. You would have taken a plane out here, instead of … of … walking.”
    â€œPlanes don’t work with him, you know that.” I stood and tried to pace, but the bathroom was too small, so I had to sit back down on top of the toilet. “Well, Mindy’s here. With me. She just got here.”
    â€œI know that.”
    â€œWe’ll be there either tomorrow or the day after. You’re going to stay and wait for us, right?”
    â€œI guess. We paid for the rooms. We took over the whole inn. It’s empty, the whole thing.”
    â€œDid Roger and his family go home?”
    â€œI don’t know and I don’t care. Beth was very unapologetic. She implied that Karen was overreacting.”
    â€œWhat did Everett say?”
    â€œEverett? Not a word. He just sat there like some beaten-down old dog. That whole family is so dysfunctional.”
    I paused. I had found myself in the middle of an infidelity mine field, and thought it would be best to slow down. “This has got to be tough on them too.”
    â€œPlease. Do not defend them.”
    â€œI’m not defending them. But it’s not Everett’s fault. He didn’t screw anyone in the pool. His son did.”
    â€œYou should have been here for this,” Mary said. “She’s your daughter too.”
    â€œI’m sorry this happened this way. I’m sorry.”
    She was quiet. I searched for something positive to say.
    â€œAt least Ethan had a good day,” I said.
    â€œFor once, I don’t want to talk about Ethan Nichols. We have other children.”
    â€œYou’re right, I know, you’re right.” I paused, helpless. “Is there anything I can do?”
    â€œNo. I’ll see you when you get here.”
    â€œAre you sure you’re going to stay?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWell, good night then,” I said.
    And as expected, she hung up.

 
    5
    The next morning, invigorated by a full eighteen minutes of teeth-grinding sleep, I immediately launched into a litany of worries about Karen as soon as we were inside the van. I hadn’t gotten far before Mindy cut me short.
    â€œCan we not talk about this?” She was slumped down in the passenger seat, juggling a massive cup of Starbucks and a copy of USA Today , compliments of the Knoxville Marriott.
    â€œWhy, what’s wrong? Why don’t