“Uh, yeah, just a minute. Dad,” she shouts. “It’s Mason.”
I get the image of the two of them in the house, and my hand clenches tight around the phone. My intention wasn’t ever to abandon them, and it fucks me up inside to think that I have.
“Son?” My dad’s gritty voice comes down the line.
“Yeah, I’m here, Dad. How are you?”
“Good. Really good, actually.”
“I presume you haven’t heard anything yet, from the doctor?” This shouldn’t be so awkward.
“No, not yet. But I did have a visitor this week.”
I drop my head, my lips turning up just slightly. “Yeah, she said she came out.”
“You should come with her next time. I shouldn’t be the one showing her the estate.”
He’s right. As much as I hate being there, I hate the idea of not showing Nina myself more.
Is that why it bothered me so much?
“I carved out some time,” I tell him. “you said you had some things to put into place. Do I need to get anyone else in?”
“Emanuel.”
“Right.” Emanuel is our solicitor, and there’s only one reason he would want to meet with him. “I have three weeks today? I will have to see when he is free.”
“That will be great. Thank you, Mason.”
I roll my lips, unsure if I want what I am asking. “Bring Scarlet, we can go for something to eat after.” He is quiet for a moment, and I don’t know if he has heard me. “Dad?”
“Three weeks today, I’ve pencilled you in.”
I snicker, knowing he doesn’t have fuck all on three weeks from today.
“See you then, son.”
“Bye, Dad.”
* * *
Nina
I’min awe as I sit flipping through the photos in front of me. Shot after shot of me dancing in the studio. They seem so much more important now—memories I can look back on and cherish.
“Joey, these are beautiful. You have captured it perfectly.”
“It’s all you; you’re a dream to photograph.” He bumps me with his shoulder and I chuckle at his excitement.
“I want to buy some of these, is that possible?”
“Yes, although I will only accept lunch as payment.” He winks.
“Joey, I can’t. Mason—”
“You can’t have lunch with a friend?”
“No, I can, I just… I don’t want to lead you on.”
