“Hey, I heard from Cody,” Stevie said. “He says that they’re in the hotel and Sonny is exhausted.”

“Sonny called me just before you arrived,” Pearl said. “He sounded so tired and said that Cody had ordered pizza delivered to the room, and that as soon as he ate, he was taking a shower and going to bed. This trip always wipes him out.”

“Do they have any tests results yet?” Stevie asked.

“No, that’s what they’ll talk about tomorrow morning,” Pearl answered. “His last appointment is for a consultation at eleven o’clock, and then they’ll start home. Sonny and I will probably stay home until after the weekend. The snow is melted now, and it’s time we got back to our own schedules, anyway.”

“And that is?” Stevie asked.

“We have Sunday dinner together, and pop in and out when we want to,” Addy said.

“But we don’t have supper here every evening,” Mia added, “and I’m going to miss that.”

“We all need time apart as well as time together,” Pearl said.

Did Fate have a hand in that call from Rodney? Stevie wondered. Did it come when Cody and I are apart for a couple of days so I can think about it without distractions?

*  *  *

Cody made sure that Sonny’s cane was right beside the bed, and that his dad was snoring before he called Stevie that evening. When she didn’t answer on the fourth ring, he started to hang up and send a text, but then he heard her voice.

“Hello,” she said. “Sorry about that. I was just getting out of the shower.”

“Then you’re wearing nothing but a towel?” Cody teased. “I’m closing my eyes and getting that picture in my mind.”

“I’m wearing your terry cloth robe, and it smells like your shaving lotion,” she answered.

“Even that looks sexy. Is the belt tied or untied?” he asked.

“It’s your imagination, so just picture me however you want,” she joked.

“I miss your teasing,” he chuckled.

“I miss you,” she said.

“Well, there is that too,” Cody admitted.

“Will you be home in time for supper? I’ve got something I need to talk to you about, but not on the phone,” she said.

“We should be home in the middle of the afternoon,” Cody answered. “I’m dreading the consultation tomorrow. I’m afraid the best news we can hope for is that the disease hasn’t worsened. I didn’t realize how much Mama does to help Dad until today.”

“At least you get to have more time with him. Treasure every moment,” Stevie said. “I went back to the house today, Cody. I made peace with tearing down the place as soon as things are packed and moved out.”

“That’s a good thing. Do you feel better now?” he asked.

“Much better,” she answered.