"So that's Tom," Brian said. "Yeah, he's an asshole," she replied, exaggerating the last word so Tom could hear. "So, what's up?""Nothin', how was the flight?"
"Same as it was coming there. Are you better now? You looked freaked this morning," she stated.
Tom came into the kitchen and started to french his hand sarcastically. He repeated softly, "Oh Brian!" in a high, feminine voice.
"Fuck off," she whispered, covering the phone receiver.
"Okay!" he laughed and left.
"I'm fine. I'm sorry about that. I didn't even say bye or anything."
In Lexington, Brian fiddled with his fingers. It was so good to hear her voice again. "You've been through hell, no need to be sorry. How did you get this number?"
"Bently. I guess the old geezer does have a purpose."
She smiled. "Don't you have any hobbies?"
"Basketball, but I need someone to play with."
"Ask Molly or Edna," she suggested.
"Molly kicks my ass everytime! And besides, I let them take the week off."
"So you're alone?"
"Yeah. My brother's due for a visit."
Hailey remembered seeing a picture of Brian's brother. Nice-looking in any light.
"Why don't you give him a ring?"
"I'll do it later. Do you have any siblings?"
"Just Riley. He's three years older than me. He's a doctor somewhere out of state. We don't talk much."
"He's not into what you do?"
"He's a snooty bastard. He could shove one of his shiny plaques up his ass for all I care."
"That would hurt, wouldn't it? Maybe he could conduct surgery on himself."
"Yeah. I need to get off the phone, so I can kick Tom's ass. He's making faces at me. I'll talk to you later."
"All right, see you."
Hailey hung up the phone and screamed, "Tom!" She walked into the living room and spotted him trying to hide himself behind Courtney.
"I'm innocent, I swear," he claimed, pulling himself under a laughing Courtney.
Pulling up Courtney with one arm, Hailey said, "Excuse me, Courney dah-ling." She jumped on Tom and started to punch him playfully.
"I don't like him! We've kissed twice but that's it! Now stop it!" she demanded.
"Goddamn, Hailey, I'm just joshin' you!"
She stopped suddenly with a look of "oh" on her face. Why was she so uptight about some guy?