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“Well, baby girl, I’m here to tell you that you don’t even have the correct book opened.”
I turned to look at him, really look at him. His face was stone cold serious.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean that the talk I mentioned us having is not about you and me, okay?”
I nodded, still watching him.
“It’s something else altogether, but I want to have it with you sitting on my lap, alright?”
“It’s bad news, isn’t it?”
“Sweetheart, please, we’re almost there so just chill for a few minutes, okay? Everything is going to be fine.”
I nodded, too afraid to speak because I knew my voice would sound all shaky and frightened.
It seemed an eternity before I was sliding the key into the lock of the apartment.
I tossed my bag of books on the table. Taz helped me off with my jacket and then shrugged his off, tossing them both on the back of the chair.
“Why don’t you sit down on the sofa and I’ll get us each a glass of wine, okay?”
“Sure, Taz.”
I took a seat on the couch, pulling one of the throw pillows up against my chest for comfort, tucking my legs underneath me.
He returned in a moment, handing me a glass of wine. I sipped it as he took a seat next to me and took a sip of his.
“Lindsey,” he began, “I talked to Slate today. He called to check in on things here. He’s still in Indianapolis.”
I nodded, taking another large sip of wine.
“Look,” he continued, “I don’t know the details because he wanted your mom and him to be the ones to tell you first, but he asked that you arrange to take a leave from college and return to Falls Church.”
“Why?”
“He said your mom is going to need some taking care of; she’s not feeling well.”
“Where is she?”
I was starting to freak out. Taz sensed it. He set his wine glass down and took mine from me placing it on the table.
He pulled me onto his lap, wrapping his strong arms around me. I felt his lips brush my hair.
“She’s in Indianapolis, too. They are leaving to come back to Virginia tomorrow. He said they would arrive home sometime in the evening. So you see, she is able to travel and all. I don’t think it is right that this is all the information you’ve been given. Please believe me sweetheart, it is all the information that I’ve been given, too.”
“Oh, Taz, what am I supposed to think? I mean, I need to know more than that. I’m thinking the worst here. That’s not right.”
“I know, baby,” he said, rocking me gently in his arms.
“I’m calling Slate.”
“What?”
I struggled up off of his lap and dug my cell phone out of my bag. I quickly hit his contact name on the list and waited. He didn’t pick up. I repeated this four times. I didn’t give a damn. I would blow his phone up until he answered. Finally I heard his voice.
“What the hell is going on with my mother, Slate?”
