He looked down at the scar at the base of his thumb. The blister that had gotten infected from all the raking he’d done one fall.
“I don’t need the reminder,” he said. “Now I can pay someone else to do those things.”
“As you should,” Casey said, laughing. “How is everything else going?”
“Good,” he said. “What specifically are you asking?”
“I don’t get to talk to you much and I’m trying to catch up. The girls are both doing well, but I know you talk with them and get updates.”
“We text,” he said. “Stacy is busy studying.”
“So she tells me. I have all the faith in the world she’s going to pass the bar, but she’s stressed.”
“There is no reason for her to be,” he said. “She’s smart and determined. All those excellent traits we got from our mother.”
“That’s right,” his mother said. He could picture her massive grin in his mind by the tone of her voice. “Don’t you forget it.”
“I never will,” he said. He spun his head and noticed Emma standing in the doorway to the family room, her hip against the wall, her arms and ankles crossed. She winked at him and smiled.
He held his hand out for her to come closer, and she moved in and flopped on him.
“Are you okay?” his mother asked. “You just made a noise like you stubbed your toe.”
He laughed. “Emma came in and sat on me instead of next to me. Not sure what she was planning.”
“I’d like to meet her,” his mother said. “If she’s willing.”
“She said she is,” he said. “You just have to tell me when you’ll be around and she’ll work it out.”
“I meant right now on video,” his mother said. “You two had enough dates that way. Why can’t I meet her like that?”
“I’m not sure,” he said. “Let me ask her.”
Emma had shorts and a T-shirt on, her feet were bare, her hair was in a messy bun on her head and there was a littlesparkle on her cheeks. It wasn’t there earlier and had been on her eyelids. He was guessing she was rubbing her face and the makeup transferred.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
“My mother would like to meet you on video right now if you’re willing.”
“I’d love to,” she said happily.
“Mom,” he said. “I’ll call you from my laptop in a minute. I’ve got to get it out of the office.”
“I’ll be here,” his mother said.
“I couldn’t very well say no to that,” she said, giggling. “Then your mother would think I’m a bitch.”
He turned to look at her. “Did you not want to do it?”
“Of course I do,” she said. “I’m just saying I couldn’t have said no anyway.”
“You’re confusing me,” he said as he stood up.
“I confuse myself too. Those words came out wrong. I’m better at typing than speaking.”
“I don’t think so,” he said. “I’ll be right back.” He walked to the other end of the house, got his laptop, and returned next to her on the couch. “Are you all done working tonight?”
“I am,” she said. “I just had to get it out before I forgot. It’s good enough, and I took notes for the rest. I’m sorry I did that. It was rude of me.”
