Abashed, I put my wallet back. Mike comes over. “Sorry, sir, your check.”
Chris nods, looks it over, pulls out a wad of cash and peels off a hundred-dollar bill. “Keep the change.”
Mike smiles. “Thank you, sir. I hope you both have a good day. See you soon, Amelia. Tell Ethan that I said hi.”
As we walk out of the restaurant his phone rings. “I have to take this.”
“It’s fine. I’ll see you tomorrow, if you could come in maybe ten minutes early we’ll discuss strategy.”
He nods as he answers the phone. “One moment,” he says to the caller, then opens the door to a cab that stopped at his hail. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
6
Chris
“I’m sorry, Catherine. How was the visit from the physical therapist this morning?”
“I did bother you. I’m sorry. I’ll let you go.”
“No, you didn’t. I was saying goodbye as you called. No bother at all. Tell me how your visit went. Did you behave yourself?”
She laughs. Damn, it’s good to hear her laugh. Even since her stroke two months ago I haven’t heard it nearly often enough. “I’ll tell you how my visit went if you’ll tell me about the young woman you were saying goodbye to.”
Shit. I make a play for time. “Why do you think it’s a woman?”
I can hear her smile through the phone. “Naughty boy.” Damn, I miss her. “I know you well, Christopher. Your tone of voice for one; there was also a very clear promise in your words. Have you decided to put this old woman’s poor aching heart to rest by taking up with a woman deserving of you?”
I laugh, only Catherine thinks of me being the deserving one. “Old? Not even close.” She’s only sixty-four. “Hmm...something tells me you don’t want to tell me about your therapy for a reason. Are you going to make me call the therapist? I love you, Catherine, you know that. However, I’m not ready to discuss the woman. Yet.”
She sighs. “All right, I won’t press you, sweetheart. Today went well, if a little exhausting. I’m making progress. I stood all by myself, even managed a few steps. Although toward the end I did get frustrated. I might have lost my temper with the therapist and I might have told him to never come back.”
My chuckle draws out her own embarrassed one. “Who’s being naughty now? I’ll call him later to have a talk with him. Do you like him? Or is this the time to find someone else?”
“I rather thought I didn’t have a choice in the matter?” She humphs.
It’s my turn to sigh. “You know very well it’s your choice. I do believe Robert is the best therapist for you, much better than Connie ever was. Connie indulged you far too often. Robert is only hard on you because he knows you can do more. He would never push you beyond your limits.”
“Oh, all right. If Robert is willing, then I would prefer him. The devil I know and all that.”
I laugh as I give the cabbie a twenty outside my place. “I’ll make sure Robert knows he’s better than the unknown devil physical therapists.”
“Don’t you dare, young man.”
Unlocking my door, I take off my coat. “Have you given any more thought to what we talked about last time? I don’t like you so far away.”
“I’m still thinking about it. I believe we discussed allowing me to make up my mind after the season was over. It hasn’t even begun.”
“I know. I just don’t see what there is to think about. Melissa is in England. She’s not coming back. It’s been years since she bothered to visit you.” My jaw clenches remembering how disappointed Catherine was when Melissa didn’t even come to visit after the stroke. “I want to know you’re safe, it’s harder with you on the other side of the country.”
“Sometimes you’re so like your father, it shocks me. So bossy and demanding, and out to take care of everyone. Missy tries, she has now called me weekly since my stroke. Your sister has her reasons. I understand them, why can’t you even try?”
“Never mind Melissa, please tell me you are seriously thinking about moving to Chicago. You’ll love my house, but there are other homes in this area as well I know you’d love.”
“Of course, I’m thinking about it. It’s just my whole life has been here in Dallas. So many years to give up.”
I sigh as I plop down in my oversized chair in my office. Rolling my neck, I close my eyes. “All right. As soon as you come to a decision, whatever it is, please let me know.”
“I will. You sound stressed, sweetheart. I’m sorry.”