Childless: A Novel by James Dobson, Kurt Bruner Page A

more important than…family.”
    “Renee!” he said, hoping to stand his ground. But it didn’t matter. No further conversation would take place between the two of them for the rest of the night.

Chapter Seven
    Julia Simmons watched her nephew jerk himself away from his mother’s reach and then scan the mall parking lot for potential witnesses. No twelve-year-old boy likes to be surprised by a hug his friends might see. He huffed away as Maria Davidson wilted back toward the car, her dejected stroll in stark contrast to the hurried sprint she’d used to deliver Jared’s forgotten backpack.
    “Let me guess,” Julia said as her sister slunk into the passenger seat. “He didn’t say thank you.”
    Maria flashed an exaggerated pout. “I guess I’m off the cool list.”
    Julia laughed while putting the car into gear. “I don’t think either of us is on Jared’s cool list anymore.”
    Maria extended her arm as if to pause the car’s forward movement. “Wait! What movie did he say they were seeing?”
    “The one about micro-robots gone wild.”
    “That’s right.” Maria reached toward the dashboard to tap in the title Micro-Predators II . “Here it is. The movie ends at twelve thirty. Add an hour for them to get pizza afterwards—”
    “—and that gives us until one thirty.” Julia completed the sentence. “We should go downtown. When was the last time we ate at Vesta?”
    “Perfect!” Maria flashed a predatory grin. “Nothing like an upscale dipping grill to cheer up a mom banished from the domain of cool.”
    As they pulled out of the parking lot Julia considered the idea of her sister falling out of style. At thirty-five, Maria Davidson remained a remarkably attractive woman, her blond hair and effortless spunk creating a feminine charm other women couldn’t help envying. She had never been shy about wearing the latest designer fashions. The outfit selected for today’s sis lunch outing, for example, would turn every male head in the restaurant. While it was too risqué for Julia’s taste or comfort, Maria enjoyed flaunting curves even her son’s adolescent buddies found impossible to ignore. Regardless of Jared’s attitude toward his mom, Maria Davidson would never be totally banished from the popular class.
    “So, how’s Troy?” Maria asked while checking her hair and makeup in the visor mirror.
    “He’s doing fine. A bit stressed lately. But fine.”
    “How was your night at the Omni?”
    The question prompted a slight blush from Julia as she remembered celebrating six months with Troy.
    “It was very nice.” A smile lingered on her lips.
    Maria’s eyes shot in her sister’s direction. “Julia Davidson,” she said. “You naughty girl!”
    “The name is Julia Simmons ,” she protested. “I’m his wife, remember? There’s nothing naughty about it.”
    Both tried to suppress a sly grin.
    “Well, I’m jealous. It’s been a long time since I’ve been naughty.”
    Julia rolled her eyes. “You’ve got to be kidding. You just broke up with what’s-his-name three or four months ago.”
    “Jonathan. And it’s been six months.”
    “Right, Jonathan.”
    “Don’t act like you forgot his name. He liked you first, remember?”
    “And then he saw you and I became yesterday’s news.”
    Maria looked out the window to avoid her sister’s I told you so rebuke.
    “I warned you about him,” Julia said.
    “You warn me about everyone I date.”
    Julia decided to retreat. “Anyway, Troy and I had a great time.”
    Maria softened. “Marriage looks good on you, Sis.”
    “Thanks. It feels good.”
    “I guess I was wrong about Troy.”
    “How’s that?”
    She hesitated. “You know. I said I thought you needed someone more…well—”
    “More hip?”
    Maria nodded uncomfortably. “You have to admit, he wasn’t someone who would have shown up on my hot list. He was kind of, I don’t know, peculiar.”
    Julia gently slapped her sister’s arm. “He was not peculiar. He