“But you just admitted it was for him too.”
“Shit.”
“Indeed.”
He holds me close.
22. Where Tyson Makes a Phone Call
HE ANSWERS on the first ring, like he’s been waiting for my call, even though it’s only five in the morning on a Sunday. “Tyson?” His voice is clogged with sleep.
“Hi,” I say, keeping my voice low. I’m in the bathroom off the bedroom, the door shut. Dom was still asleep when I grabbed my phone. I’m on the floor against the door. I almost climbed into the bathtub, but I don’t need it. I don’t. I don’t.
“Everything okay?” He sounds more alert.
“Can we… can we just talk? For a minute?”
“Sure, Kid. About anything in particular?”
“I don’t know.”
But Bear understands. He always does. “I almost burned down the house last night,” he says. “I tried making popcorn and accidentally put it the microwave for thirty minutes. You would have hated it anyway. It was bacon flavored. And, actually, it tasted like ass. Like bacon-flavored ass corn. Oh, and Otter misses you. I caught him staring forlornly into your room.”
I laugh. It feels good. “It’s only been four days.”
“Yeah, but it’s the longest you’ve been away. He also wants to get a dog. I told him just as long as he picks up the shit, I have no problem. Why the hell not.”
“Big dog?”
“Of course! You’re not going to see me with a little wussy dog that barks like a squeak toy. I have a reputation to uphold.”
“Dog and kids, huh? Domestic bliss.”
“Seriously,” he says. “We’ll just have to fuck with that bliss by staying in the Green Monstrosity. No house in the burbs for us, that’s for damn sure. How’s Tucson?”
“Hot,” I say. “No trees. It’s bigger than I thought too.”
I hear him cover the phone, and murmured voices go back and forth. He comes back on. “Otter says hey.”
“Hey, yourself,” I say back, knowing he’s listening in. I hear Otter chuckle. That’s enough, knowing they’re both there. I can do it now. I think. “Bear?”
“Yeah, Kid?”
“Things… have changed.” I swallow past the lump in my throat.
“Oh?” I hear him say carefully. “How’s that?”
“Dom… he… I think….” I stop. “No. That’s not it.”
“Then what is it?”
“I’m not coming home. At least not right away. Maybe a few more days.”
“Staying down in Tucson?” He knows better, but he’s giving me the chance.
“No.”
“Where are you going?”