"Because I can't—" She breaks off. "Your session is almost over. Let me just finish?—"
Before she can continue, there's a knock on the door.
We both freeze.
"Ingrid, honey?" Charm's voice. "Are you in there?"
"Yes, Mom," Ingrid calls, stepping back from the table. "I'm with a client."
The door opens, and she ducks her head down to see who it is.
Her eyes land on me and widen slightly. "Gunnar!" Surprise and pleasure in her voice. "I didn't know you had an appointment today."
"Last minute thing," I say, face still in the cradle. "Figured I could use some relaxation."
"Well, you came to the right place. My daughter's wonderful at what she does." Charm's voice is warm, but there's something underneath. A question. "How are you, sweetheart? Is Ingrid taking good care of you?"
"She's great."
"Good, good. You work too hard, honey. All you boys do. It's important to take time for yourselves." A pause. "Are you relaxing?"
The question carries weight neither Charm nor I can quite explain.
But Ingrid feels it.
I feel her tense behind me.
"Getting there," I say carefully.
"Wonderful. Well, I won't interrupt." Charm's voice shifts slightly. "Ingrid, your 3 o'clock canceled, so you have extra time if Gunnar needs it."
"That's fine, Mom. We're almost done."
"All right then. I'll let you finish." A pause. "Good to see you, Gunnar."
"You too."
The door clicks shut.
Silence.
"She knows," Ingrid whispers.
"Knows what?"
"Something. She knows something's off."
Before I can respond, my phone buzzes on the side table where I left it.
Once.
Twice.
Three times in rapid succession.
"You should check that," Ingrid says, stepping further back.
I lift my head, reach for the phone.
