Charlie grinned as she handed her mom the phone. Anne gave Charlie the dirtiest look she could muster, while Emily giggled in the driver’s seat. Anne stared at the phone she held in trembling hands. She took a deep quaky breath and held it to her ear.
“Hello?”
“Hi Anne. How’re you doing? I’ve really been worried. You were so shaken up when I put you on the plane. I would’ve gone with you if it weren’t for Gram.”
“She needs you there. You didn’t need to come.”
“Gram keeps telling me to call you. I don’t know why she doesn’t just call you herself.” He paused for a breath. “Are you there?”
“Yes, I’m… I’m here.” She took deep breaths, trying to slow her heart rate. She could do this. Steven wouldn’t bring up the incident over the phone.
“How’s your dad?”
“He’s okay. He was awake today.” She tried to keep her voice light and even. The girls were listening closely. She didn’t want them to hear her nervousness.
“And Gandalf?”
“Alive, as far as we know. We’re going to see him now.”
“And you? How are you?”
“I’m fine.” She thought her voice sounded odd and squeaky.
His pitch dropped. “I mean, how are you, really? After we… I know you’re probably feeling awkward. But Anne, I don’t—”
“Oh we’re here. I’ve gotta go—I’ll talk to you later. Thanks, Mr. Gherring.”
She handed Emily’s cell phone back without looking up.
“That was certainly interesting,” said Emily. “Wasn’t it, Sis?”
“It certainly was… very interesting.”
“No time to talk.” Anne hopped out of the car and hurried into the vet clinic.
The girls were cheered to find Gandalf awake. His tail gave a weak wag in greeting. Dr. Stephenson’s report was good, and they made plans to visit the following day.
“Where to now?” asked Emily, as they left the animal clinic.
“Lunch first. Then back to the hospital, I guess,” said Anne.
“I don’t think you should be allowed to eat until you explain that little conversation with Mr. Gherring,” said Charlie.
“I said ‘later,’ and this is not later enough. And if I’m not allowed to eat, I don’t think I’ll be paying, either.”
“Fine, you can eat. But my curiosity is killing me,” Charlie complained.
“We don’t really need Mom. I could hear everything Mr. Gherring said. What would you like to know?”
“Emily!” Anne’s voice sounded a warning.
“I couldn’t hear what he said after Mom said she was fine,” said Charlie.
“Charlie, that’s enough—” said Anne.
“He asked her how she was really doing. And then he said, ‘You must feel awkward.’ And then Mom cut him off in mid-sentence,” said Emily.
She squeezed her eyes shut. How was she going to cover her uncomfortable conversation with Steven?