“You think the best clinic in town made a mistake?” Zeke asked skeptically.
TJ laughed. “Now you sound like Leah! No, I don’t think they made a mistake – but my old man always said to never trust just one doctor when they told you bad news.”
“Your old man never said that! He said never trust any doctor!”
“That, too.”
“Well, good luck with all of that, man. Let me know what happens, okay?”
“You’ll be the first to know,” TJ promised. “Enjoy the movie festival. Who knows? Cary Grant might grow on you.”
Zeke simply groaned.
* * * * *
Day 40
Leah heaved a sigh of relief as she walked in the door and tossed her purse on the hallway table beside her keys.
“TJ?” she called as she toed off her shoes.
“In here,” he replied.
She padded into the living room and raised an eyebrow when she saw he hadn’t yet turned on any lights in the room.
She gave him a kiss hello then teased with a grin, “Too lazy to turn on the lights?”
She reached over to switch on the lamp beside him, but he quickly captured her hand.
“I need you to sit down, sweetheart.”
Leah felt the blood drain from her face, both from TJ’s gentle tone and the endearment. She turned her hand so she could grip his, a thousand thoughts racing through her mind, wondering who had died or been injured, wondering if something had happened to Zeke. She slowly lowered herself to sit beside him, her eyes desperately searching his in the dimness of the room.
“What?” she asked reluctantly, terrified at what he needed to say.
TJ hesitated, his gaze dropping to the floor as he said slowly, “My doctor called. There’s something strange in my blood tests. Some anomalies. He wants me to go for further tests.”
“Something strange? What strange? What did he find?”
TJ shrugged helplessly. “He said something about my blood count being low, that it’s going somewhere.”
“Like where?” Leah winced at her strident tone and struggled to calm herself. “Like...there’s internal bleeding or something?”
TJ took a deep breath and resolutely met her eyes. “He suspects a tumor – most likely in the colon, but it could be anywhere. With any luck, it’s nothing, but...he wants me to get it checked out. I’m going in tomorrow to get the necessary paperwork, see what I have to do to get these tests done.”
Leah stared, her dark eyes huge in her face. She gripped his hand so tightly she felt his bones grind together, but he never winced and his eyes never wavered away from her face.
“Oh God,” was all she could think to say.
* * * * *
Day 41
Daisy laughed as Manny went into raptures on the other end of the phone about the first day of Cary Grant movies.
“So, well worth the price of admission?” she teased when Manny took a breath.
“And then some,” Manny sighed with pleasure. “And of course there are all the other movies, too. Too bad you -” she stopped abruptly. “Oh, shit – I’m sorry, Daisy! I forgot -”
“That’s okay – I tend to forget, too. Hey – it’s only been two weeks, and Hub’s still here in the house until the end of the month when he moves into his new apartment.”
“How are Jakob and Janika doing? I know you keep telling me they’re okay, but...tell me honestly.”
Daisy sighed, and bit her lip. “They’re...not happy. Naturally. Jakob’s even angrier since he’s finished with sports for the rest of the year, although apparently all the girls flocking around to give him tea and sympathy do help a little.”
“Are they blaming you?”
“They’re blaming their father. They’re pretty grounded kids; uncannily grounded. Half the time I wonder if they were switched at birth because they’re so mature. Remember us at those ages?”
“Well, we were definitely flightier, but we were also helping Rebecca with Jaime around those ages, so we had to be a little bit more mature.”
“Until university, anyway.”
“Oh, yeah,” Manny grinned. “Those were some fun days, weren’t they?”
“Sure were. And to think, out of all those men who flocked around in those days, I chose Hub.” She ruefully shook her head. “If I only knew then what I know now...”
“But you got two great kids out of it,” Manny reminded her, “and you had some good times, right?”
Daisy pulled the phone away from her ear and blinked at it before she replaced it and said, “Manny? Are you trying to find the good things that came out of my relationship with Hub? You never liked him!”
Manny bit her lip, then said, “You loved him. What I thought about him was moot. I just thought – you know, your personalities were so different. Hub never was all that...um...”
“Fun?” Daisy asked drily.
“Yes! And I have to say, finding out he’s having an affair surprised me. He’s never been very spontaneous, either.”
“Oh, I doubt very much this was spontaneous. I suspect he weighed the pros and cons and made a very informed choice.”
“Except he decided it was worth risking everything he had with you and the kids to be with this woman. That almost sounds like...I don’t know...”
“Love?” Daisy’s voice broke on the word.
“Oh, God – I’m sorry! I didn’t mean -”
Daisy sniffed and wiped her eyes. “No, it’s okay. Really. I just – it’s still hard to believe, you know? That he’s been having this affair for a while; that he was willing to lose his children and his home. And...it just hurts.”
“Oh, Daisy,” Manny groaned in sympathy. “Are you sure you don’t want me to come home?”
Daisy chuckled wetly. “Definitely not! I’m living vicariously through you – and I’m still planning on meeting you somewhere one of these days. Maybe once Jakob’s out of his cast.”
“But the kids are doing okay with everything that’s happening?”
“Yeah. Really, honestly, truly – they’re doing okay.”
“And what about you, Daisy? How are you set financially?”
Daisy hesitated.
“I know you’ve been going to the casino more often than is good for you,” Manny blurted into the silence. “I also know you couldn’t be winning all the time. Are you in trouble?”
Daisy bit her lip and said, “Nothing I can’t handle.”
Manny hesitated, not sure if she should believe her sister or not.
“You’ll let me know if you need help, right?” she finally said.
“You’ll be the first to know. I promise.”
“All right,” Manny sighed. “If you need me, call and I’ll get home as soon as I can.”
Daisy chuckled. “I know. But I’d hate to have you cut your trip short just to come back and hold my hand. Besides, then you wouldn’t see Zeke anymore.”
Manny laughed. “That doesn’t even come into the equation!”
“Too bad,” Daisy sighed.
“Oh, God – that’s my cue to say good-night, Daisy.”
Daisy laughed. “Good-night. And thanks.”
“Anytime,” Manny said, and smiled as she ended the call.
* * * * *
Day 43
Zeke hated to admit it, but he’d actually enjoyed the movie festival. Manny hadn’t forced him to go to every single Cary Grant movie – although it had been close. Zeke hadn’t realized just how long and diverse the man’s career had been, and as far as he could tell, there hadn’t been a truly awful movie in the entire bunch. At least, according to Manny anyway.
After the first day, he and Manny had worked out a fairly equitable approach and between the two of them managed to take in something from every genre presented. His next blog would show him eating some crow, but he figured it was probably about time. He’d been pretty sarcastic in most of the blogs he’d posted over the last month and a half, and he ran the risk of comi
ng across as too pigheaded to be kind.
He could tell from the number of hits, the types of comments, and from what Leah told him, that his reading public was still fascinated by his opinions about and experiences with Manny and her journey. If anything, the traffic to his blog posts was steadily increasing. The possibility that it would stay this popular until their journey was over was highly unlikely, so Zeke was determined to milk this small piece of notoriety for all it was worth.
Of course, online notoriety was a bit of a misnomer, since no one other than TJ and Leah – and Dixie – knew that Zeke Powell and the snarkily sarcastic blogger named Zeep were one and the same.
He grinned as he pulled a chair up to his desk and opened his laptop.
This one should get the comments flying, he thought gleefully, even it was going to be at his expense rather than Manny’s. For a change.
He began to type.
~~~~~
Manny padded out of her bathroom, wrapped in a thick bathrobe, rosy from her bath. Her hair was piled on top of her head, long tendrils hanging damply on either side of her face.
She undid her hair, letting it tumble down her back, then laid down on the bed, her arms stretched above her head. She grinned as she thought of the last four days.
I think he enjoyed it in spite of himself, Harvey said.
Yeah, I saw him laughing at Bringing Up Baby. Of course, who could resist Cary Grant as an absent-minded professor being slowly driven insane by Katharine Hepburn? I mean, really.
She turned her head to grin at Harvey, who was beside her on the bed still dressed in a tuxedo with a top hat balanced on his perfectly flat stomach.
He sadly shook his head and asked, Am I going to be stuck in this thing for the rest of your life?
Manny laughed. It’s only been four days! Maybe you’d prefer this instead?
Harvey was now wearing white pants with the cuffs rolled up. His chest and feet were bare, and Manny could almost smell the salt air and feel the sunset on her skin.
Harvey raised one eyebrow and said, Have you been watching those Old Spice commercials again?
You’d prefer the pirate outfits?
At least then it’s implied I’ve done more than just walk along a beach!
While looking very handsome.
Like that helps.
Wow. Picky yet. You can be replaced you know.
Oh? With Zeke maybe?
What? No! No, no, no.
Why not? He’s real and you’re in close proximity every day. Who knows what might happen if you’re willing to take a chance?
I know exactly what will happen. I’ll get all twitter-pated -
Twitter-pated? What – are you twelve?
I’ll get all twitter-pated, Manny repeated, deliberately ignoring Harvey’s interruption, he’ll remain oblivious until I make a pass at him – probably while I’m drunk – he’ll be horrified and run screaming for the hills. Been there – done that -
That was a long time ago.
Read the book – saw the movie -
Manny -
Bought the t-shirt. Thank you - no. Never fucking again.
So – what? You’re just going to ‘make do’ with me? I’m not real!
I know! Which makes you perfect in every way! You know that! It’s why you exist, after all...I mean, to a certain definition of ‘exist’.
That’s...
Pathetic. I know. But it’s safe.
And almost unbearably lonely.
Manny’s eyes suddenly filled with tears and she blinked rapidly until both the tears and Harvey were gone.
Episode 5
Day 49
Manny yawned as the elevator dinged and she sleepily shuffled out into the lobby. She was meeting Zeke for breakfast, but the reason why she’d agreed to meet at such an ungodly hour had completely slipped her mind at the moment.
Of course, the fact that you were up ‘til two a.m. playing the slot machines has nothing to do with it. Or the drinks, Harvey pointed out.
Manny shot Harvey a withering glare but refrained from comment.
She glanced around the lobby and saw Zeke standing at the front desk, talking with great interest and charm to the blonde woman who had checked them in the previous afternoon. The woman was definitely intrigued as she smiled up at him. Manny had to admit Zeke seemed even more rakishly handsome this morning than usual, with his five o’clock shadow and dishevelled dark hair standing up in spikes. His black jeans made his long legs look even longer and his black button-down shirt accentuated his broad shoulders and lean frame.
Oh, oh. This looks like San Francisco all over again.
I think you’re right...well, he’s a good-looking guy, and this is Vegas.
Gotta admit, he doesn’t seem to discriminate. Blondes, brunettes – redheads, if you count Rebecca.
He likes women. So sue him.
...my, you are cranky today...
Manny shook Harvey out of her head as she walked up to Zeke and the blonde woman with a tired smile.
Zeke gave her a slightly guilty look as he introduced her to Alicia, and Manny watched him from the corner of her eye, amused at his lingering look back as they left the attractive young woman and headed towards the breakfast buffet.
Zeke shot her thoughtfully considering glances as they moved through the line waiting to get into the restaurant, but they spoke little until they were inside, had filled up their plates and were sitting at the table.
Manny closed her eyes and hummed with pleasure as she sipped her coffee. She was beginning to wake up but she still regretted her two a.m. bedtime. She opened her eyes and blinked at Zeke’s steady albeit slightly pleading gaze he had focused on her.
She cradled her coffee cup in both hands and raised a questioning eyebrow.
“Would you mind if -” Zeke began.
“Go,” she interrupted with a half-smile. “Have fun. Play safe.”
He smirked slightly. “Always.”
“Good to hear,” Manny said absently, yawning into her hand. She took a bite of her scrambled eggs and considered him thoughtfully.
“So, does this mean you’re over Dixie, then?” she asked slowly.
“Pffft,” Zeke shrugged, his eyes sliding away from hers. “What’s to get over, really?”
“Ummmm – the fact that she threw you out? And you’ve never spoken to her about it? You said you cared about her.”
“I did,” Zeke agreed, his eyes focused on the food on his plate.
“But you’re ready to move on? After what? A month? Maybe two? Don’t you want to give your broken heart more time to heal?”
Zeke glanced at her, a half-bitter smile on his face. “What broken heart? And you didn’t seem worried about this in San Francisco.”
“I didn’t know you as well then,” Manny replied mildly. “Plus I didn’t know what had happened with Dixie.” She shrugged and picked up her coffee cup once more. “Anyway, I was just checking,” she assured him.
Zeke considered her thoughtfully, his head cocked to one side.
“Thank you,” he said quietly, “but I can take care of myself. Alicia’s beautiful and she’s definitely interested in getting to know me a little better. You said we weren’t joined at the hip -”
Manny shook her head, waving away his words. “Go,” she said again. “Have a good time. I have your cell number if I need to get in touch.” She raised an eyebrow. “I assume I’ll see you sometime before we’re supposed to leave next week?” she asked sardonically.
“Maybe,” Zeke teased, then smiled. It wasn’t the deliberately charming smile he’d focused on Alicia but one that actually seemed genuine and surprisingly sweet.
“You’re a very understanding soul, Auntie Em,” Zeke said, his hazel eyes soft.
“Yeah, that’s me,” she sighed, and took another bite of her eggs.
Wonder what he’d do if you threw a temper tantrum?
Run away.
...would that be a bad thing?
H
ey, he’s been really good so far. Really, I can count on one hand the number of days he’s left me on my own. I can’t really be pissed because he wants to spend time with a beautiful woman. After all, I understand sex is something you can do to pass the time.
Yes. You should try it sometime.
Well, I am in Vegas. Who knows what might happen.
* * * * *
Day 53
Zeke wandered through the casino and tried to ignore his slight feeling of guilt. He kept an eye out for Manny but he knew that after four, almost five, full days, she could be anywhere in Vegas.
He ruefully shook his head.
While Manny loved to sightsee – as he’d first learned to his dismay and sometime amusement as they meandered their way out of Alberta – she wasn’t exactly the most social person he’d ever met. It took her time to warm up to people, and even at the film festival, she only spoke to those people he spoke to, or who spoke to her first. He could just imagine how she’d spent the last four or five days - probably wandering diffidently along the Strip, avoiding eye contact, and not speaking a word.
He sternly squashed the feelings of guilt, telling himself he hadn’t intended to leave her on her own. But when things had spectacularly crashed and burned with Alicia that first night, he’d wanted a day or two to lick his wounds in private. Who knew she even had a boyfriend, let alone one quite that big and quite that good with a right hook? He rubbed his jaw and winced at the remembered pain.
Then Leah had called with an urgent need for a half-dozen articles for her site after one of her other regular writers had taken another job and left her high and dry. She’d sounded stressed, as had TJ when Zeke spoke to him the next day, but they both assured him they were simply worried about getting ready to start on the potentially long and complicated path towards having a baby.
He paused at a bank of slot machines and frowned. He’d never find Manny just by wandering around. She hadn’t answered her cell phone when he called, and he couldn’t remember her room number. He sighed. He’d just have to go to the front desk and leave a message for her.
His steps slowed when he saw Alicia was working, but then he mentally shrugged and walked up to the desk.
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