Then burst out laughing.
“Graham, you look like you robbed a bank in 1978.”
“That’s apparently what expedited processing costs.”
He’d renewed it weeks earlier.
He’d also asked his manager about taking vacation after the year-end payroll rush.
He hadn’t booked a flight.
He hadn’t told me what to do.
He’d simply prepared to show up if I wanted him there.
“I can come in February,” he said. “If you invite me.”
My throat tightened.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I didn’t want my plans to become your obligation.”
For a long moment, I couldn’t speak.
Then I sat beside him.
“If I invite you, you’ll meet my mother.”
“I figured.”
“My father will ask what your intentions are.”
“Fair.”
“My nephew screams every morning.”
“I’ve survived municipal budget meetings.”
I laughed.
But the truth was, I needed time.
