Emily felt a rush of remorse. “I felt terrible after you left. I wasn’t being fair.”

“I don’t get why you care what I collect. It’s not in your face. If you’d just stay out—”

“I meant the fertility test results. We need to talk about it. We need to decide what to do, even if that means doing nothing.”

She heard some shuffling on his end. “I know. I’m just not ready. I need to think about it,” he said. Typical. He needed to think. She needed to decide. “I’m not sure.”

“Not sure about what?”

“Kids.”

“Isn’t that why I stopped taking the pill? We always said—”

“No. You always said. I just listened.”

That was a lie. Frank had even joked that he wanted to name his son Neuman after Alfred E.

“Well, I need for us to talk about it,” Emily said. “If not now, then soon. The doctor said we have options. Right?”

“Okay, okay.” It was the tone he took responding to what he perceived as a nag. “We’ll talk. All right? Just not right now. How’d it go with the new client?” Changing the subject. But it gave her a lead-in.

“Actually, that’s why I called. I wanted to let you know right away.” She rushed on. “Turns out this is a big project, and I need to come back tomorrow to do some more prep.” Emily tried to sound matter-of-fact but apologetic. “So I can’t go to the game.”

“Becca can’t do it?” Frank sounded annoyed.

“She’s tied up with family. All day and into the evening.”

“She’s tied up with family but you’re not? Can’t this woman just tell you what’s in there?”

“She doesn’t know what’s in there. Her husband rented it—”

“And she’s cleaning it out?” He snorted. “Typical.”

The dig wasn’t lost on Emily. “Her husband’s dead.”

That left a hole in the conversation.

“Anyway,” Emily said, “we promised an estimate Monday, so I have to get in tomorrow and make an inventory. It’ll take the better part of the day.” This was a lie; she was pretty sure it wouldn’t take more than a few hours. “Maybe you can find someone to use my ticket?”

“You know it’s not about the ticket,” Frank said. “I like having you there.” Those games were a tradition dating back to before they were married. After a little pause, he asked, “How’s your foot?”

It was swollen and throbbing, and needed to be iced. “It’s better,” she said.

“Glad to hear.” After a pause, “I’m sorry you got hurt.”