I nodded. “Yes. I’m allergic to eating anything that tastes like soap.”
“Got it.” He laughed. “Trust me to order for you?”
“Wow me, big man,” I quipped.
He guided me to one of the tables and waited for me to sit down before heading to the window to order.
I took a second to pull my phone out and check my messages, finding a voicemail from Dr. Hilliard. Glancing over at Sundance, he was still in line, so I listened to the message.
“Hi, Wyatt, it’s Dr. Hilliard. Sorry to bother you on a Friday night, but we’re having some issues with Teddy and I really think it would be best if you could come down here at your earliest convenience to discuss them. Give me a call when you get this and we can set up a time.
Oh my god! What kind of issues?
I dialed his number immediately and he answered after one ring.
“Hey, Wyatt.”
“Hi. What’s going on?”
“This could have waited until tomorrow.”
“You didn’t say it could wait until tomorrow,” I pointed out. “So, what the heck’s going on?”
He sighed. “Teddy has been taking his underwear and leaving them hanging on a few of the girls’ doorknobs. He’s also expressing himself in a more overtly sexual way than he has before. It’s all very normal and manageable, but as his guardian, you should be aware.”
“How is leaving his underwear on doorknobs normal and manageable?” I whispered.
Dr. Hilliard chuckled. “It’s his way of letting these young women know he’s interested. No one has complained, let me be clear, but we are talking to him about the appropriate way to treat a woman and giving him some coping skills to deal with his adult urges.”
I squeezed my eyes shut. Never did I ever think I’d have to be hearing about my older brother’s ‘urges.’ Adult or otherwise.
“You still there?”
“Yes, yes, I’m here,” I said. “Sorry, I… just…”
“It’s a lot,” he said, and I could hear the smile in his voice. “You’re taking on the role of a parent and it can be overwhelming.”
“You’re telling me,” I breathed out.
“Babe, what’s wrong?” Sundance asked, and I looked up at him.
I shook my head and pointed to the phone. “I can come by tonight if you need me to.”
“He’s asleep, so all the drama is over for the moment.”
“Tomorrow, then.”
“That’ll work. I’ll be checking in on patients around eleven. If you want to come at ten-thirty, we can chat with Teddy and go from there.”
“Sure. That’s fine.”
“Okay, Wyatt. Don’t worry about him. He’s good. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Dr. Hilliard.”
He hung up and I threw my phone into my purse with a groan.
“What’s goin’ on?” Sundance asked.
