Page 44 of Harvey

He gazed at her with understanding. “I see it’s still a sore point.”

“It is.” Glancing at her watch, she realized she was running late.

“I hope you don’t mind me dropping by soon?”

“Not at all.” Picking up her jacket, she shrugged into it. “It’s good to see you, Michael.”

“Likewise,” Michael murmured as he watched her leave the room.

*****

“Where is Carter?”

“His wife called in this morning. He is not feeling well.”

“Any idea what is going on?”

“Some stomach problem. The man is constantly eating the same thing. Tuna sandwich with pickles and mayonnaise was bound to hurt his gut.” Ben said with a grin as he heaved the board off the wall and threw it aside.

“That’s not funny,” Harvey told him with a frown.

“Oh, come on, Blackwood,” Ben protested. “Ever since you got hitched, you have become even more impossible than ever, and that’s saying something. Maybe you should take the little lady on a honeymoon and spend some time with her.”

“Want to call her ‘the little lady’ again?”

“No. I just meant- “

“Take a break, Ben, before you put your foot in your mouth again as you seem intent on doing,” Calvin told him mildly.

“Sorry,” Ben muttered, dropping his tools and hurrying away.

“He’s right, however. You give grumpy a whole other meaning.”

“Are you here to ride my ass? If that is the case, you can just piss off.”

“Worse than I thought.” Handing him a cup of coffee, Calvin poured a cup for himself and eyed the younger man. “Lighten up, man. I have been married for ten years and am still a ray of sunshine.”

Casting him a feral look, Harvey dropped to the ground and set about drinking his coffee. “Good for you.”

“I could give you some advice.”

“Please don’t.”

“I am going to do so anyway. A happy wife is a happy life.”

Despite himself, Harvey had to smile. “How profound. Did you come up with that all by yourself?”

Calvin grinned sheepishly. “A bit mundane and tired, but it is true. Keeping the wife happy makes for harmony in the home.”

“I will bear that in mind,” Harvey told him dryly. Finishing the coffee, he rose. “I have to get back to work.”

“Just think about what I said and try it,” Calvin called after him.

*****

She wasn’t home. That was the last thing he expected, and he was so taken aback that he stood in her bedroom and stared at the bed. Turning around, he returned to his bedroom, showered, and changed before returning downstairs. He had missed dinner as usual and was feeling a little hungry.

He had not stopped on his way upstairs and did not notice his mother was still at the table.

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