Page 77 of Lucky 22

“Plus, I’d love for us to look at your calendar and see whatyou have going on next week.”

“Next week? Um…how come?”

“I’d like you to come with me to Pittsburgh,” he says, likeit’s obvious.

My first thought is that I wish he were asking me to gosomewhere romantic or tropical. But I guess Pittsburgh is fine, too.

“Oh, uh…why? What’s in Pittsburgh?”

“I got voted into the All-Star Game. So, naturally, I’d loveto have my wife and family with me.”

“Christian!” I say far too loudly, making everyone around mestare. “That’s amazing! I’m so proud of you!”

“Thanks. It is pretty exciting.”

I roll my eyes with amusement because only my husband couldbe this low-key about such an honor.

“It doesn’t matter what’s on my calendar. I will be rightthere with you in Pittsburgh, cheering you on. There’s nothing more importantthan that.”

“But what if you get a call for an audition? Or you’refilming? Or…?”

“It will all have to wait. I wouldn’t miss seeing you playin the All-Star Game for anything. I love you.”

“Love you, too, Ella Rose. I can’t wait to see you tonight.”

“Mmm…I can’t wait to see youeither. Soon. I’ll be home soon.”

We talk for a few more minutes, and when we hang up, I goand grab myself a snack and a magazine. It won’t be an excessively long travelday, but it’s certainly not a short one either. So, I settle back into a seatat the gate and get comfortable again.

Only…I’m not.

I’m a little twitchy, and even though my conversation withChristian was all good, I’ve still got this…I don’t know, a niggling ofsomething I can’t quite put my finger on in the back of my head. If I had todescribe it, I’d say it’s like a feeling of impending doom, and I don’t likeit. But I don’t know if it’s about me and my career, Christian’s, or somethingabout our families.

His dad is still waiting for his transplant. Even though hehas a donor, his health hasn’t been great, and the doctors need him to getstronger before they do the surgery. So, maybe that’s on my mind?

Sighing, I pull out my phone and call my mom. Maybe shecould distract me and put my mind at ease.

“Hey, there’s my sunshine.”

I love my mom’s greetings. They always make me smile.

“Hey, how are you? How’s Dad?”

“We’re all fine. Where are you calling from? I thought youwere flying back to St. Louis today.”

“I’m at the airport, and boarding doesn’t start for anotherthirty minutes. I was restless, so I thought I’d call and say hi. So…hi!”

She laughs. “You know I always love to talk to you. How areyou doing? How did the rest of your auditions go?”

“They were fine. Nothing new to report. Now, we play thewaiting game to see if I book anything.”

“You just have to keep moving forward, Ella. Your father andI are so proud of you.”

“Thanks, Mom.” No matter how old I get, I will alwaysappreciate my parents’ praise.

“And how’s Christian? Your father said his game the othernight was one of his best.”

“He got voted into the All-Star Game this year. I’m so happyfor him.”