The aroma of the dark organic coffee steeping in the French press filled the room. Duke leaned against the island range, scrambling eggs and sausage. His mind repeatedly returned to the gorgeous bartender from last night. I need to make that right, he thought. He added chives and diced peppers and made the decision to find her and apologize.

“The Duke is making his own breakfast. Just like the little people.”

“I always make my breakfast.” The Bronx Bolt pitcher refused to let his father get to him. He stirred in goat cheese. “Where’ve you been, Pops? We’ve got things to talk about.”

Willis Lewis poured himself a cup of coffee but didn’t offer any to his son. Sitting at the long marble counter, he shook out the morning paper and said, “I’m a busy man. I’m running three different local commissions right now and planning a march for next month.”

“Yeah, well, you supposed to be managing my money. Yet, last night, my credit card was declined.”

Willis slowly turned a page, engrossed. “I’ll look into it.”

“That’s all you’ve got to say? What’s going on, Pops?”

The older man didn’t answer at first, turning pages silently. Then, “Give it a rest. I paid the bill. Someone screwed up. It doesn’t help, you so irresponsible with your spending.”

Duke, irritated, scraped the eggs onto a single plate, not inclined to share his food after his father’s jab. “I need some cash delivered to that clinic next to the WinCo in Mount Eden. The doc wants fifteen hundred.”

Willis finally held the newspaper still. “What doctor? Why cash? Tell me you did not agree to pay for an abortion. The press—”

“Jesus, no. I haven’t been with anyone since Regina. I had my ankle checked out and I didn’t want anyone to make a big deal of it.”

“But you’re okay? You’ll be able to report next week?”

“Yes.”

“And Regina … You staying away from her?”

“Yes! What do you care?”

“You have bad taste in women. She was taking you for a ride.”

Biting his tongue, Duke said, “Whatever. I gotta go. I’m going to take some money from the safe.”

“Nah, I put it in the bank. I didn’t like having that much cash in the house. I’ll take care of it, son. I’ll pay the bill this afternoon.”

Duke looked at him sharply. “That’s my money. Don’t you think you should have talked to me first?”

Willis pushed back from the table and folded his arms. “You don’t trust me?”