“I doubt it. Your mother was one in a million. Your father was extremely lucky. To expect to find a woman like that is like expecting lightning to strike twice in the same spot.”
“So, you’re saying that if I get close to a woman,anywoman, I shouldnevershare my unique condition?” This little chat was annoying Jason more and more by the minute.
“Yes. Look, as much as I hate to put it this way, you’re just a half-breed. You might not experience the same control over yourinstincts—especially if you let a woman into your life. That’s the time we’re tested the most. You’re not as strong as the rest of us.”
Jason shook his head. He knew the instincts his uncle referred to and he experienced the same feelings as much as any other full-blooded family member. But his uncle was right. He didn’t have the solid control over his condition that was needed—especially during biological changes. Adolescence had been a double nightmare.
“So, you never told Aunt Dottie?”
Ralph burst out laughing.
Jason waited until his uncle settled down. “You’re wrong about Merry. She wants to take stressoff. She did me a big favor by speaking to some noisy tenants for me… or, more accurately, for Aunt Dottie who had already talked to them. I guess the noise continued. Now Dottie wants to use me as themuscle,and I really don’t want to be cast in that role.” Jason hung his head. “I thought being a landlord would be easy. What was I thinking?”
Ralph took a long swig of his beer. “I’ll talk to Dottie. Meanwhile, be extra careful with Merry. Enjoy her friendship but leave it at that.”
“I’m not sure I can.”
“Well then, test her first. See how she handles stress herself. You know the fight or flight instinct?”
“What’s that got to do with anything?”
“Your father and I had another brother, remember? Until he revealed his secret, and his girl ran off. You know what happened after that. Maybe if he’d known that’s how she handled bad news…”
Jason paused, mulling it over, then said, “I guess a test might be a good idea. I was thinking I might offer to visit the patients at Merry’s hospital and sign autographs. The bonus was supposed to be spending more time with her. But seeing her in action might be a good idea too. So far, everything about her is positive,but there has to be a downside. No one’s perfect.”
“Exactly.”
“So, you want me to test her?” Jason asked. “How?”
“Her job sounds stressful, and stress can bring out the worst in anybody. Just watch carefully. See how she handles whatever comes her way.”
Jason secretly hoped to see her stay and “fight,” not run from stressful situations. At that moment, a knock on his door meant the most imperfect person in the building had returned.
Ralph jumped up. “Don’t tell her I’m here. I’ll be in your bathroom. I have to go anyway.”
Jason said, “We can continue this later,” and waited until his uncle was hidden before he answered the door. “Aunt Dottie… Two visits in one night? Don’t tell me they’re still at it.”
“No.” She breezed past him, uninvited. “I came to say thank you for speaking to them. And what a good idea… romancing the new girl.”
“Good idea? What do you mean?”
“I mean that she won’t sue you, if you’re her lover.”
“Jeez, Dottie, is that all you can think about? I don’t think she’s going to sue me—and we’re not lovers yet.”
“By the looks of things, you would have been if I hadn’t interrupted. Oh, I’m sorry about that, by the way.”
“Apology accepted. Maybe you can leave messages on my voice mail or tape notes to my door from now on.”
She frowned. “Are you saying you don’t want me in your apartment?”
Jason tucked his hands into his pockets and shifted his weight, rocking from his heels to the balls of his feet and back. “Look, it’s not that. I appreciate it if I’m away and need this rainforest watered…” He pointed to the massive palms and fichus trees by the windows. “But if I’m home, I should be able to take care of the apartment myself and there are other ways toreach me.”
“In other words, you don’t want me in here. I suppose you don’t want me straightening up the place, either.”
“Yeah, I was going to talk to you about that too. I can hire a housekeeper. You already have a place to clean. Plus, you do the hallways—”
“Well, it isn’t any bother. You should save your money for a rainy day. You can’t play baseball forever.”
