Page 100 of Love & Other Disasters

“What’s so funny?” he smiled, a laugh escaping him.

“The child has become the parent,” she said through giggles.

“Oh, that’s real funny,” he said. “Real funny.” His phone buzzed in his hand, the caller ID a Nashville number that he didn’t recognize.

“Is it the girl?” his mom asked.

“It’s an unknown number,” he said, standing. If Violet was calling him because the police picked her up again, this would be an awkward conversation. “I’ll be back.” He answered the phone in the hallway.

“Mr. Harper, Special Agent Morales,” she said. “Have you already seen the news?”

“About Melvin’s arrest, yes. That’s great news.”

“And the D.A. may call you to testify against Melvin.”

“I’ll try to do what I can, but I’ve moved to Illinois and help take care of my mother with Alzheimer’s, now.”

“Oh… did Ms. Murphy go with you?”

His hand clenched around the phone. “No, that ended.”

“Oh,” she sounded surprised. “Then never mind… While I have you, let me update your address in our files in case we need to send you a summons.”

He rattled off his mom’s home address and stalked back to her room. The reminders of Violet weighed heavy.

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