Page 22 of Audra: The Prequel

Chadwick Foster tended to rise early, sitting out on the back porch as he sipped his coffee, so Damon wasn’t surprised when he answered at this hour.

“Hey, Pop, how’s it goin’?”

“Hey, son. Going all right out here. How’s your shoulder?”

Damon rotated his right shoulder, which had suffered a minor injury weeks ago during spring training.

“Much better. I’m headed to the gym now to work out. Where’s Ma?”

“She left the house early today. You remember Joanna from down the street? Her husband died, so your mom has been keeping her company and helping her out since she doesn’t have any family living close by. They have an appointment at the funeral home this morning.”

That didn’t surprise Damon. His mother was that kind of woman—very caring and in tune with other people. No surprise, since she had been a social worker for years.

“What can I help you with?” Chadwick asked.

“What makes you think I need help with something?” Damon replied.

“You have that sound in your voice.”

He chuckled softly. His father knew him well. “You’re right. It’s about a woman.”

“Uh-oh.”

“It’s not bad. I met someone, and I really like her. Real talk, I’m obsessed with her.” He gave his father a quick explanation of how he met Audra, the flowers and gifts, and their first date a couple of days ago.

“I think she had a good time, but before she agreed to go out with me, she treated me like a regular dude and took a long time to give me a shot. She probably wouldn’t have if I didn’t go up to her job. That’s why I have my doubts. I want to call her, but I don’t want to come across as a stalker.”

“Too late,” his father quipped.

“Damn.”

Chadwick chuckled. “Let me see if I understand what you’re saying. You went on a date and had a good time, but now you’re worried about calling her too soon. Do I have that right?”

“Yes.” He never had this problem with other women he dated. They understood he was seeing multiple women at the same time, and they were happy when he called. He knew he couldn’t treat Audra the same way, but at the same time he didn’t quite know how to move with her.

He’d been an athletic star since middle school and was used to being catered to—by women, teachers, fellow students, and adults. This was the first time he had to put in the work and didn’t want to mess things up.

“Have you communicated with her at all since the date?” his father asked.

Damon checked his side mirror and switched lanes. “I sent a text after I dropped her off on Saturday night. That’s it. Nothing since then.”

“So you put in all that effort to win her over, and now that you’ve got her, you’re pulling back. Do I have that correct?”

“When you put it that way…”

“That’s not me. That’s how this young lady will see your lack of communication, son. Now she’s probably thinking you didn’t have a good time or were somehow disappointed by the date. She probably thinks you’re no longer interested.”

He had never considered that angle. “I don’t want her to think that I didn’t have a good time, but it’s only been a couple of days. I don’t want to be too pushy.”

“But you’re interested?”

“Hell, yeah.”

“Well then, it’s time to let her know. Talk to the young lady. Make plans for another date. If she’s not interested, she’ll let you know. Then you can move on.”

Move on. Those words sounded so final. “I don’t know if I could.”

“What do you mean?”

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