* * *
Hoping she wasn’t interrupting anything, Kristine called Jayce.
He answered with “Hey! I was about to call you.”
“We’re almost to Boston.”
“Thatisgood news.” He sounded happy.
“My mother pulled off an Oscar-worthy performance at the station this morning. She ambled in like a zombie, found the captain’s office, propped herself up against the doorjamb, said, ‘I need my daughter—I’m ill,’ and then slid to the floor.”
“Wow. I’ll bet the captain bought it.”
“Oh yeah, he did. He wanted to carry her down the stairs to an ambulance. When I explained she had just been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome and there was a specialist in Boston we wanted her to see, he urged me to take her. Amy insisted she’d be fine after a little nap…just like a real patient would. Then he said to take however much time I needed, and we’d work around a caretaker schedule when she got home.”
“That’s incredible.”
Kristine was saddened slightly. “Yes, he really is a nice person down deep. I guess his sister had chronic fatigue syndrome, and doctors didn’t believe her until she fainted at their feet.”
“So he’s seen this before.”
“Oh yes, and he wants her to get all the help she needs. I feel a little guilty knowing she doesn’t need any.”
“Don’t be. Shedoesneed help. It would be a miracle if she doesn’t have PTSD. Unless you want to tell your captain she was abducted and you spent your days off negotiating with kidnappers—”
“No. Of course not. I know she needs this, if for no other reason than to get some peace of mind and a little sleep.”
After a brief hesitation, Jayce added, “Hey, since you’re taking the commuter rail, you can get off right in Back Bay. That’s just blocks from the B and B. Much closer than South Station. I’m on duty now, and the B and B is not that far from the fire station, so I can be there as soon you get in and carry your things.”
Kristine laughed. “Are you forgetting what we really are? We’re strong enough to carry half of our apartment across town. If we’re only a few blocks from the B and B and you’re on duty, just point us in the right direction and give us the address. We can find our own way. It might help if you call your friends at the B and B and tell them to expect us. Do you think they’ll have room?”
“From what I understand, they only advertise at the paranormal club next door, so they almost always have vacancies. They don’t want humans mixed in with their paranormal guests. I’ll explain the situation to them, and I’m sure they’ll hold one or two rooms.”
“Don’t let them go to any extra trouble. We can stay at a hotel for a night or two. But my mother is very anxious to speak to these paranormals, especially the dragon.”
“Why don’t I call you back as soon as I’ve talked to them?”
“I can’t wait to see you,” she said, almost shyly.
“Same here.”
“When do you get off the rotation?”
“We’re here until tomorrow at 6 a.m. I’ll bring breakfast.”
“But doesn’t B and B stand for ‘bed and breakfast’?”
“Oh yeah.” He laughed. “I’m an idiot.”
“No, you’re not. It’s just good to know you aren’t perfect.”Even though you seem perfect for me.
“I’m sure Rory and Amber will take good care of you until tomorrow. I’ll let Amber tell you what sort of paranormal she is. It’s a great story. A little too complicated for me to explain, but she’s a really good person and will welcome you with open arms.”
After a brief pause, he whispered, “I love you.”
Kristine said, “I love you too.” And from a distance Amy called, “I love you too.”
Jayce chuckled.
