Chapter 3
3
I t was late morning before Leo got a text from Neil.
Neil
Les contacted me.
He looked at the text wondering how to interpret that. He decided that Neil was probably angry, frustrated, upset, something—but not at him, and probably hadn’t gotten much more sleep.
Leo
I thought you’d want to know I had my eye on Chrissy. He lost an NYPD dog last night. He was quiet and calm by the time he left. I got him a ride to his hotel and told him to sleep.
Neil
Thank you. That was a huge help. I’m not serving what he needs, but I worry.
Leo
I don’t know what he needs, but I had what he needed last night at least. He’s sweet. Any time I can help.
Lovely, but there was something sad about the boy, something more than losing a canine friend. Something deeper. He thought he’d made the boy feel lighter for a little while, and he was glad he could do that.
Neil
I’m home. He wants to stand on his own. He can do it for a while.
Leo
He should if he can. You should get some rest too.
Hopefully, Neil knew what he was talking about. Leo had to assume Neil knew better than he did at this point.
Neil
Yeah. Thanks. Take care.
And that was that.
Poor boy, to just be… deserted.
Neil was tired, which he understood. And thinking about the last few things he’d heard the boy say to Neil, this was really less a desertion, and more being pushed away. But if Neil had really wanted to stay, he would have.
He decided to leave it at that and put his phone back into his pocket.
“Buster’s headed off to be cremated,” Lexie said as she passed by him, patting his shoulder.
“Great. Thanks.” He watched her go with a sigh and then shook it off. He had patients to see, and that boy was the last thing he needed to obsess over. He knew Chris had no intention of calling, and that dinner offer was just a kind thing to say. Eventually, he’d figure out whether he should call, but not now. Not today.
Maybe after he’d had some sleep.
“Boss, something was delivered for you, personally.” Lexie popped her head in again, passing him a package wrapped in yellow paper.
“Delivered?” He reached for it. “Huh. Thank you.” Yellow was cheerful. He tore open the paper but froze for a second as he got a look at what was inside. “No way.”
He pulled off the rest of the paper and smoothed his hand over the fuzzy Minion fabric, then stood up and unfolded them. Just barely catching a note before it fell, he opened it.
Thank you for the kindness. -C
Oh. What a sweet note and a nice surprise. He held the pants to his waist, and they actually landed at his ankles.
“Lexie!” He called out. “Come back here, please?”
“Of course. What do you—Oh my God! Look at the fuzzy pants! They’re amazing!”
“Minions! Can you believe it? More for home because they’re fuzzy, but are they not the most amazing things? They’re a gift from one of the people that was here with Buster last night.” He modeled them in a goofy way, turning his hips this way and that. “I love them.”
And he would think of Chris every time he wore them.
“They are stunning! I love that someone gets you. So perfect. Do you want me to put them in your office? In a bag, so the cats don’t wallow?”
“I think that would be a great idea.” He folded them back up reluctantly, because really all he wanted to do now was put them on and curl up with a movie. That would be tonight’s plan. And he’d text Chris a picture.
“Did you need anything else?” She grinned at him, so obviously tickled.
“Nope. That’s all. Just wanted to show off my new jammies, and you know you’re glad I did.” He was going to smile the rest of his day away.
“You know it!” Lexie laughed as she left the room.
He pulled out his phone and tugged the card out of the wallet, quickly making a contact for Chris and then texting him.
Leo
I love my pajamas! How did you find them? They’re amazing. Thank you.
Chrissy
yw! The internet is my friend. Hope they fit
Leo
I’ll let you know when I wear them tonight. You should bring yours over, and we can be matchy-matchy and watch Despicable Me.
He sent that before he’d given it any rational thought. He was just excited and… wow. That was… forward of him. Presumptuous. Ridiculous.
But it was sent, so…
The three dots lasted long enough that he got worried.
Chrissy
I 3 that movie. I’m in. I’ll buy us pizza.
Pizza. Yes. Fantastic. That was the best response he could have hoped for. And now he had company for his movie. He texted his home address.
Leo
7?
Chrissy
nods.
There was a pause, then,
Chrissy
Gonna bring my bag to save the hotel fee. Don’t freak
Okay. He wouldn’t freak.
Much.
He’d say this was all going according to plan, but he’d had no plan. But if this had been his plan, it would be working out great .
Leo
I don’t freak easily. And I think I already offered.
Chrissy
yeah. cu@7. thnx.
He sent a thumbs-up because he didn’t know what else to say.
He had a boy coming over tonight to watch a movie with him.
“No,” he told himself sternly. You have a friend and potential renter coming to have pizza and watch a movie. That’s all. He’s not a sub tonight. He’s a friend.
He liked the other version better.