I smiled at the affection I could hear in Lany’s voice. He always seemed too excited to talk to me. It was actually kind of nice.
“What’s up?” I asked.
“So, I was thinking.”
Uh-oh.
I leaned against the wall and waited for Lany’s bright idea. It was sure to be good.
“With Eddie staying with us, I was trying to figure out a way that he could get my attention without invading his privacy. At first, I was thinking a baby monitor. He could just call out for me and I would hear him in the other room, but then I would heareverything.”
There was such a strong emphasis on the word “everything” I started to wonder what he might have heard already.
“So, I was thinking walkie-talkies,” Lany continued. “What do you think?”
I chuckled because I just had to. Lany brought me such joy just by being himself. “I think that sounds like a good idea,caro. How about I bring a couple home from work tonight and we can give them a try?”
“Yeah?”
“It’s a good idea, baby.”
“Oh good.” Lany’s heavy release of breath could be heard through the phone. “I was afraid it would sound goofy.”
“No, it’s actually a really good idea, Lany. It’s not like we’re going to hear Eddie if we’re in the other room unless he yells. And neither one of us wants to invade his privacy. The poor guy already doesn’t get to sleep in his own home. This way, he can still get in touch with you and have his privacy, too.”
“Right?” Lany sounded so animated. I could just picture him bouncing around whatever room he was in while he talked. “That’s what I thought, too.”
God, I adored Lany.
“When are you going to be home, Sal?”
“Soon,caro. I’m in a meeting with your uncle right now.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Lany said quickly. “I’ll go and—”
“It’s okay, Lany. I stepped out to take your call.”
“I probably shouldn’t have called you at work.”
“You should always call me at work. If I can take the phone call, I will. If not, you can always leave a message and I’ll call you back as soon as I’m free.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure, Lany.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll be home soon, love.”
“I’ll order something from Mario’s.”
I smiled as I crossed my arm over my chest and tucked my hand under my bicep. It was easier to lean up against the wall that way. “You know, one of these days, we’re going to have to learn how to cook.”
We could cook the basics, and Lany had a few really good recipes he could make—like his honey lime chicken with mango cucumber salsa—but that was about it.
Lany dialed a mean takeout menu though.
“Ooh, we could take cooking classes together.”
