Page 20 of Over Time Advantage

Pierce chuckles. “It’s like when someone looks so good everyone else looks worse in comparison. I have a professional athlete, superstar of a sister. How can anyone else’s basic siblings compete with that? The guys rib me for how pretty she is, but it’s chill. Just another way she mogs the rest of them.”

I see Ginny’s already tight face tighten more. She’s always flinched when people mention Kennedy’s beauty. She should be proud of our beautiful, successful daughter. Something is amiss with my ex-wife, but she’s the mother of my two children. There’s nothing I can do about it.

The doctor takes a few notes before looking back at the screen. “And you continue to spend time with Kennedy?”

“Yes,” I answer before realizing she was talking to Pierce.

Ginny’s eyes widen in surprise. “You spend time with her?”

I nod. “I do. We play pickleball together.”

Pierce gasps. “So cool. Can I play with you guys sometime?”

“Of course,” I answer.

Again, Ginny’s face tightens. I’m not arguing with her about this in front of Pierce, so I redirect. “She and Pierce have been meeting for lunches and dinners. They’re reconnecting. Kennedy told me that it’s important to her to do so.”

Dr. Lucadamo’s eyes appear to toggle between screens nervously. “And she’ll be in town for the foreseeable future?”

I know why she’s asking. Pierce’s troubles started when Kennedy initially left for college and cut off all communication. She fears he’ll regress if it happens again.

I nod. “I think she plans to stick around. She’s thriving with her new team and has realized how much she’s missed her little brother. She even mentioned possibly buying a house in the area.”

Pierce looks like he could fly right now.

The doctor nods. “Wonderful. How are college applications coming along, Pierce?”

He sighs. I’ve been on him to finish his applications. “They’re due in two weeks. I think I’m only applying locally now that Kennedy is around. It would be chopped to move away just when she finally comes home.”

Ginny and I exchange glances. This is news to us. We think a change of scenery would be good for him. A fresh start where no one knows of his past troubles.

As if reading our minds, Dr. Lucadamo calmly states, “There’s no need to make that decision now. As we’ve discussed in the past, it would be beneficial to apply to lots of schools, both in and out of state. Better to have options than regrets, right, Pierce?”

He tilts his head back and forth in contemplation. Meanwhile, Ginny and I are on the edge of our seats.

Finally, he says, “I guess it’s NBD.”

Shit. What’s NBD?

“Right,” the doctor agrees. “It’s no big deal to apply to a few out-of-state schools.”

NBD is no big deal. Got it. Crisis temporarily averted. We’ll force this issue another time.

It’s late at night and I’m reviewing game tape in my media room when my phone chimes. I see it’s a notification from the dating app. I open it as quickly as possible.

Diane: Sorry for the delay. It’s been a weekend from hell.

I already know why, but I need to act like I don’t.

Lloyd: I’m so sorry. Is everything okay?

Diane: You’re still awake? I didn’t think you would be.

Lloyd: As I get older, I don’t really sleep anymore. It’s more dozing between pee breaks.

Diane: LOL. How old are you?

Lloyd: Old enough that I have to turn down the car radio to read street signs.