Page 47 of And Now, Back to You

“Everything’s fine. I came into the station because I thought you could use a friend on the other end. Relax.” Someone murmurs something in the background and Aiden snorts. “Benny is none too pleased to be sharing his airtime, though.”

“This is a serious segment, pretty boy,” a rough voice crackles over the line. Benny, the host of the afternoon news hour program, must have just gotten into the booth. “I don’t like you trying to commandeer my ship.”

“No one is commandeering anything,” Aiden says easily. “I’m here for moral support.”

“I don’t need moral support,” Benny grouches back.

“Not for you, Ben.”

A heavy burst of static explodes over the line and both Delilah and I wince. She lowers the volume, then cradles the phone in her hands.

“Thanks for giving us some of your time, Benny. We’ll keep it short and sweet for you.”

There’s a long pause. “Is that Delilah?” he finally asks.

Delilah grins. “Sure is!”

“I suppose that will be fine, then.”

Aiden snickers into the phone. “I’ve never seen someone over seventy blush before.”

“You’re about to see someone over seventy kick your ass,” Benny snaps, sharp as a whip. Delilah covers her mouth with her palm, her eyes squinting at the corners as she tries not to laugh. I grin at her.

“Watch yourself, Aiden,” I warn.

“Yeah, no kidding,” he mutters. “Okay, are you guys ready? I kind of want to get out of this booth as soon as possible.”

I look at Delilah’s smiling face. Flushed cheeks. Red lips. She’s looking at me like she believes I can do this, and it makes me think that maybe I can. Maybe I can flatten the curled-up edges of myself. Maybe old wounds don’t have to hurt so bad. Maybe I can move past them into something new, better, different.

“Yeah,” I say. “We’re ready.”

BENNY BARLOW: I’m told there is an update?

DELILAH STEWART: Yes, Benny. Thank you for having us. Jackson and I are currently heading out to Garrett County where the storm is set to arrive within the next forty-eight hours. We’re expecting high winds, plummeting temperatures, and snowfall upwards of several feet. Baltimore should expect a milder version of the same storm, but we’ll know more once we get up in the mountains.

DELILAH STEWART: Also, we stopped for turkey sandwiches.

BENNY BARLOW: Jackson. You’re quiet. Anything to add?

JACKSON CLARK: Delilah has it covered.

[pause]

[indistinct arguing]

JACKSON CLARK: Uh, the turkey sandwiches were good?

BENNY BARLOW: Is that a question or a statement?

JACKSON CLARK: Statement. The turkey sandwiches were good.

BENNY BARLOW: So glad I made time for this riveting update.

DELILAH STEWART: [laughter] And now, back to you, Benny.

CHAPTER 11

DELILAH