“It must be a new hobby of Mom’s,” he said, noting the frequency with which his mom glanced at them. Then, making the connection, he added, “She’s been hyper-protective since my accident.”
“Yeah, she told me a little about it. Well, Happy Thanksgiving.”
The reference to the occasion again reminded Phoenix of his father. This was the second Thanksgiving without Dad.I wonder what Orchid is doing for the holiday.
She had confessed that holidays without family were hard for her, too. There’d been no calls or contact with her in the two and a half months since they last spoke. He doused the dull ache with a mouthful of Scotch.
“Dinner is served,” Betsy announced.
Seated between Rina and Caleb, Phoenix swigged some wine.
He tried cutting his meat with his fork. “So how long will you be in New York?” he asked Rina.
“Um, I’m on a six-month leadership assignment.” She stared at his plate. “Do you want a hand with that?”
“No, thanks,” he blurted, his automatic reply.
“Don’t they make artificial arms?” Rina asked.
“Yeah, they do.”
“And if you had one, you’d be able to cut your own food?”
“Yeah, I would.”
“So why don’t you have one?”
“What’s left still hurts. And I seem to be able to get by without one. Mostly.”
She nodded at the logic. “So, what do you think I should see while I’m on assignment here?”
“Hmm, what do you like?”
“Watching sports, hockey, live country music.”
“There you go. Check out the Rangers, sports bars and Madison Square Garden.”
“You’re the first personnotto tell me to go to the opera and Broadway shows.”
“Those are super, but I didn’t hear fine arts on your list.”
“I might like them. I’ve just never tried them.”
“Would you like to go to a show? I can get tickets. We just need to head there soon or after the holidays. Everything’s booked mid-December through New Year’s.”
She smoothed her silken bob. “I’ll tell you what, you bring me to a fancy show and I’ll take you to a Canadian hockey game.”
CHAPTER 32
FREEDOM AT 21
Orchid
The chaos in Mandy’s apartment assaulted every sense. At least Orchid felt at home.
Mandy’s son Matty shrieked and brought tiny pea-smeared fists to his hair.
A small dog twisted beneath the highchair, catching food as it fell.
