Page 53 of In the Air Tonight

“Fine.”

I wait a minute to give him a chance to add a thank you, but he doesn’t. Sometimes I wonder if those words exist in his vocabulary.

“I, uh, hope everything is okay with your family.”

I’m shocked he said that much. “Thank you.”

I end the call before he can say something that’ll ruin the goodwill he earned by showing the most basic kindness.

Returning to the driveway, I start the car and follow the directions Jack gave me to drive the car around to my cabin. After I unload my suitcase and computer bag, I send Wendall his schedule for tomorrow, so he won’t have a meltdown, and then contemplate what to have for dinner.

My phone rings with a call from my mother. “Hi, Mom.”

“I thought you were coming home?”

“I’m in Land’s End.”

“What’re you doing over there?”

“Taking care of some business.”

“What business, Blaise? What’s going on?”

I want so badly to tell her, but first I want to wait to find out what Houston plans to do with the information I gave him. There’s no point in exploding my life if Neisy or the AG decide not to pursue the matter.

“I’ll tell you when I can, Mom.”

“This is all very unsettling. First you stay away for years, then you come running back when you hear Ryder is running for Congress, and now you’re staying over there rather than here with me.”

“It’s for the best right now. I’ll come see you soon, okay?”

“And you’ll tell me what’s going on?”

“When I can.”

“Are you safe?”

“I am. Don’t worry.”

“That’s like telling me not to breathe.”

“I know, Mom. I’m sorry. I wish I could say more.”

“Call me tomorrow?”

“I will.”

“Love you, Blaise.”

“I love you, too, Mom.”

I’m still holding the phone when I land on the sofa, exhausted from the turmoil of this day. But more than anything, I’m relieved. Someone else knows my terrible secret. It’s been released into the world, and no matter what happens next, that’s better than holding it inside me for all this time.

Or so I think.

Houston

NOW

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