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“No.”
“I haven’t even wanted a drink.”
This means that my plan’s working. I start flicking through the guide book. I want us to stay all day, not only because I want to spend time with him, but because I never thought I'd say this, but I’m loving not being at the ranch for the first time in a long time.
***
I stop as we near the car and take out my cell phone. “I have to call Neil. It’s my day off, but I didn’t tell him that I got here safely.”
“Don’t go back,” Isaac says. “There’s much more to see in Houston. Tomorrow we can see more sights.”
“But where am I going to stay?”
“In my apartment. It’s huge. Of course, it’s nothing near as many square feet as the ranch house, but it’s more than big enough for the two of us.
“Okay, I’ll stay. You’ve twisted my arm.”
He nods, “Good now, call granddad and tell him that you’ll be back tomorrow night. I pick up my phone and Neil picks on the first ring, “Hi Neil’s speaking.”
“Neil, it’s Olivia,” I say as my eyes dart from Isaac to the floor.
“Where are you?”
“Houston.”
“ I know that you said that you were going, but I thought that you might change your mind,” he chuckles as he talks about my trip.
“Yeah, I surprised myself. Uh . . . I’m with Isaac. We just got through touring the Space Center,” I’m smiling at Isaac, but I know what he’s looking at. The back seat and his bottle that’s waiting for him.
“Now, that’s worth a trip to Houston for sure. Uh . . . How is Isaac? Are the two of you coming back to the ranch tonight?”
“Isaac wants to show me more sights in Houston tomorrow. He said that I could stay in his apartment.”
I’m nodding my head waiting for a reaction from Neil. He’ll tell me if it's not a good idea. He’ll reassure me if it’s the right thing to do.
“I think that’s great. It’s about time you got away from the ranch and saw some of the city. Why don’t you take a couple of days off? You and Isaac enjoy yourselves. It’ll do both of you good.”
“You sure, Neil. You sure you’ll be okay. I’m worried about . . . You know your health.”
“Olivia, I’ll be fine. I’ll go down to the Brass Rail for meals. Don’t worry about me. Just have fun.”
“If you’re sure?” I say glancing at Isaac and smiling.
“Yes, yes, I’m sure.”
“Okay. Bye,” I say as I hung up the phone.
I turn to Isaac to tell him the good news, “Well, it looks like you’re stuck with me for a few days, Isaac.”
“You make it sound like something bad,” Isaac says as he opens the car door for me.
“Do you like Italian food?”
“Yes, lasagna is my all-time favorite!”
“Well, it just happens that there’s a great Italian restaurant near my apartment that I eat at regularly. And their lasagna is to die for, so you’re in luck.”
“I just need to get my car from the parking lot. I can’t leave it there all night.”
