“January first.”
“So Christmas and New Year’s. That’s kind of fun. We could come up with all kinds of holiday shenanigans.”
“We can. Too bad we can’t get up to some shenanigans right now.”
“You on your way to pick up Ally?”
“Yeah.”
“It’s okay. I have fifty things going on anyway. I just wanted to call to see if you would come to the show.”
“If Harper’s pre-emptively gotten us permission, then I’ll be there. I’m excited to see you doing your thing. And be there to support Stevie too. She’s gone out of her way for Ally and me, so I’d like to do something nice for her.”
“Bailey’s doing the show too. She’s stepping way out of her comfort zone, so it’s going to be a big night. And a lot of your teammates will be there. It should be a lot of fun.”
“That all sounds great.” I pull into the school pick-up line. “Well, I’m in the pick-up line. Will you text me the details so I can add them to my calendar?”
“Of course.” She hesitates. “By the way, there’s been more vandalism at the gallery.”
“What? Are you okay?”
“Yeah, it was outside this time, so really not a big deal but Rage came right away and checked everything out.”
“And? Is it the same guy?”
“We don’t know. The cops are doing another investigation.”
She’s lying.
I can hear it in her voice, but before I can ask anything else?—
“Uncle Canyon!” Ally throws open the door and jumps in, obviously excited about something. “Guess what?—”
“Hi, Ally.” Saylor calls out. “How was your day?”
Ally’s face falls, her good mood evaporating. “Are you on the phone?”
“Yes. Talking to Saylor. Be polite, Ally.”
She huffs. “Hi. My day was fine.”
There’s an awkward silence that I don’t know how to fill.
“Well, I’ll let you go,” Saylor says in a chirpy little voice I know is her trying to cover her frustration.
She really has been a saint when it comes to how Ally treats her.
“I’ll call you later, babe,” I say before disconnecting. I glance over at my niece. “What’s going on with you? Why don’t you like Saylor?”
“I don’t know,” she mumbles.
“There has to be a reason.”
“I don’t have to like her just because you’re dating her.”
I sigh.
It’s a circular conversation that never goes anywhere.