“Y’know, that thing everyone goes through at New Year's when they feel the need to support the less fortunate.”
“You really didn’t read my email, did you?”
“Why, what have you done?”
“This deal is great, first of all. And second of all… everything my mother left me, I put it in the charity fund.”
Buster is silent, possibly for the first time in his life. “You’re actually killing me.”
“We’re going to do great things with it.”
“You want me to lose my condo, don’t you?”
“We’ll help people.”
“You’re setting me up for a life of crackers and whole milk.”
“It was helping no one just sitting there.”
“What the fuck did Imogen do to you?”
“I have a flight to catch.” I stand and tap my card, paying for my drinks, and shove the proposal back into my briefcase.
“Am I waking up homeless?” Buster groans.
“I’ll call you when I land.”
“If I’m still alive. Safe flight.”
“Thanks.”
“And remember,” Buster says dramatically as I stroll toward the gate, briefcase in hand, “be careful. You can’t run away forever, Elijah.”
That’s what he thinks.
I’m never setting foot in New York again.
4
CALLIOPE
“Can I help, Mommy?” Nick stands at my side, craning his neck to try and see the array of vegetables laid out on the counter beneath my hands.
“Have you finished watching your movie with Grandma?”
“Grandma fell asleep.” Nick pouts. “But I wanna help you!”
“That’s sweet, baby, but I’m in the middle of doing some very grown-up things that could hurt your little fingers.”
“Please,” Nick whines, clutching at my leg. He holds one hand up and wiggles his fingers back and forth. “I have strong fingers,please.”
It’s impossible to say no to a face that adorable, so after quickly peeling the last carrot, I nod. “Okay, you really want to help me?”
“Yes.” He beams up at me, showing every single tooth from how wide his lips stretch.
“Okay, I need you to do a very important job.”
Nick stands up very straight.
