“Notmuch.”
That wasn’t the first time they had a video call, but things were still awkward. Tristan was self-conscious and bet Arthur faced the same. Plus, gazing at Arthur’s face was like stepping into a time machine and landing at his mom’s house, when he was a teenager. If he had dyed his hair black back then. Except for Izzie’s hair color, Arthur King was the younger version of TristanKnight.
Uncanny.
“How did it go at the hospital yesterday?” Tristaninquired.
Arthur shrugged. “Same old. They hooked me up to the dialysis machine and after a couple of hours, the nurse came back and collected blood for thesamples.”
“Grandma Lilly goes through that three times a week, four hours each time. She tells me it feels like forty years.” Tristan was still getting used to calling his mom that. Arthur enjoyed hearing about the side of his family tree he didn’t know, so Tristanobliged.
Arthur’s shoulders moved up and down in a quick shrug. “I don’t mind it anymore. I get to read a whole book each session. Sometimes more than one book. Yesterday, I didn’t finish mine, though. I got a little lightheaded, so I turned off my cell and rested myeyes.”
Tristan’s stare cut to Izzie standing beside him, still holding her phone. He had to admit to himself that she had done a very good job on her own. He refocused on his son’s smiling face. “Does lightheadedness happen often? You say it like it wasn’t a big deal.” He chased the panic away from his voice, but wasn’t sure hesucceeded.
“Because it was not. Most times, I feel fine. Once in a while, something goes amiss. Not to worry.” Arthur paused, then added, “Dad.”
Hearing his son utter that word still hit Tristan in the stomach like a left jab from a fucking heavy-weightchampion.
It stole his breathaway.
Unable to articulate, he nodded at hisson.
Izzie patted his back as she flicked her wrist and pointed the phone screen to her face. “Hey, listen, sweetie. I hate to let you go, but we’re running late here.” Tristan glanced at the clock on the wall and frowned. They had plenty of time to get to his appointment. “I need to drag your old man to the hospital. It seems he’s scared of needles like a little girl, so I go along to make sure he’ll let the doctors do theirjob.”
“Hey!” He tried to snatch the phone from her hand, but the pixie blockedhim.
She hunched over, keeping the phone close to her body. Snorting, she blew kisses to their son. “Bye, sonny. See you verysoon.”
“What did you mean we’re running late? Did I get the timewrong?”
Izzie eyeballed him, noreply.
When her scrutiny made him uncomfortable, he mouthed,What?
Her lips curved in a lazy smile. “You’re one of the smartest people I know yet you can be so dense sometimes. Watching you talk to Arthur was like watching you both cross a landmine field. I thought you could use an excuse to hangup.”
Tristan shook his head as he held the front door open for her. He followed her down the corridor. As they waited for the elevator, he conceded, “I see why you did such a great job raising him. I had forgotten the keen people reader you are, always attentive to other people’s feelings and needs. I admire that in you. I never pick up on thesigns.”
Her smile quivered, and she exhaled a short sigh. Whatever sadness that crossed her mind, left as fast as it came on. She shrugged and replied, “Arthur was always an easy kid, so I’m not sure I can take all the credit myself. He’s got your quick mind and your hunger forknowledge.”
They climbed in the elevator and Tristan pushed the garage button. “The little I’ve seen so far, he’s a great kid. He’s taking his ordeals quite well for somebody soyoung.”
* * *
On the following day,Tristan had a rare free morning. He got up early and cooked breakfast. Noah emerged from his room as Tristan poured fresh brewed coffee in his travelmug.
“Your coffee woke me.” He stretched his arms and scratched his belly, looking halfasleep.
“Roughnight?”
“Rough month is more like it.” Noah yawned, then tilted his head. “Going somewhere? I ask because you’ve filled up the mug, but you’re not all dressed up like you get nowadays when you go out withIzzie.”
Tristan ate up the snark comebacks that popped up in his head. He wouldn’t bite Noah’s bait. “Going to visitmom.”
“Right, right. Before you travel. That’s a good call. Listen, I’d love to tag along. Could you waitup?”
“I don’t have much time, though. I’ve got to be at the hospital right afterlunch.”
