Page 236 of ClickBack

I look at the boxes. “I do want you in San Antonio. That part didn’t change.”

“I want to come.”

“Then come.”

“You have to get there first.”

“Monday. The moving company is picking up the things I’m taking tomorrow. I’ve got workouts lined up with Von later in the week. They’re showing me the rest of the facility Monday afternoon.”

“I thought you’d already seen it.”

“The basketball part. Apparently there are more people I need to know than the ones who can ice my legs.”

She laughs. “That sounds inconvenient for you.”

“Send help.”

“I’ll check my schedule.”

“Your schedule. Not a list of reasons I might be too busy.”

“Don’t push your luck.”

I smile. We talk about the rental. Graves sent pictures, and I forward them while she is on the phone. She gets to the second bedroom and asks whether the desk is actually a console table.

“Probably.”

“Then I’m bringing a laptop stand.”

“I can buy a desk.”

“You haven’t even sat at it.”

“Neither have you. Already talking about accessories.”

“I’m particular about where I work.”

“I’ve noticed.”

I tell her the rental is temporary, that I’ll start looking at places once I’m there. I want her to see them with me if she has time during the visit.

“You want me to help you choose?”

“Yeah. I want you to like it, too.”

“Very sensible.”

She asks about the neighborhood, the drive to the facility. We are still talking when I open the refrigerator for dinner. I wish she were here eating it with me. I can miss her without making her get in a car to prove she misses me, too.

By the time Giselle flies down on Friday, I’ve been in San Antonio four days. I get to the airport early enough for Graves to remind me twice that watching the door won’t land the plane.

“You got somewhere to be?” I ask.

“Apparently baggage claim for the rest of my life.”

“Go get a coffee.”

“Had one. While you were checking the arrival board.”