CHAPTER 46 YELLOW SUN
YELLOW SUN
Phoenix
“Mom?”
“Yes, Phoenix, it’s me. It’s a wonder you recognize my voice, given how long it’s been since you called.”
“Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” he joshed, stretching on his sofa.
“Someday, I’m going to be gone and you’re going to miss me,” came her familiar refrain.
“Aw, I miss you already,” he said. He popped in his air pods so that he could flip through news headlines on his phone while talking.
“Good. Because we’re seeing each other next week.”
“Next week? You coming for a visit?” He sat up, running through his mental calendar.
“Easter with your aunt and uncle and cousins. Have you forgotten?”
“Is it Easter already?” he asked. Isn’t Easter in April?
“March 31st, the earliest it’s been in five years.”
“Oh, okay, thanks for the reminder. I’ll be there. They want us down on Saturday, right?”
“That’s right. I’ll be flying in that day. George is going to pick me up. Are you bringing anyone?” Mom asked.
Unbidden, Orchid came to mind.
“Nope, there’s no one to bring.”
“Not Rina?”
He’d rarely thought of Rina since they parted ways. “Rina? We broke up.”
“Uh-oh. What happened?”
He recalled their easy companionship. Weekends now felt empty. “It wasn’t any one thing. You know how you always said you and Dad fell madly in love the moment you met? We didn’t have that.”
“Well, it’s not love at first sight for everyone. Dad and I were lucky. Honestly, how many times have you had that happen?”
“Once.” A dark-haired beauty pricked at his memory. He pushed the images away. “Never,” he corrected himself.
She puffed some air. “Well, which is it? Must be a complicated love life.”
“I couldn’t even begin to tell you,” he admitted.
“Who was it? Tish? I liked her.”
“No, not Tish. Someone else you’ve never met.”
“As long as it’s not that horrible woman who abandoned you because of your accident. What’s her name? Orchid?”
“She didn’t abandon me. I’ve told you.”
“Leave, abandoned, never showed up, all the same wretched selfish thing,” his mom spat, surprising him with her vehemence.
“She’s not selfish,” he protested, wondering why he was defending her.
“You’ve always been overly generous in your estimation of others. You need to protect yourself first.”
Phoenix was too tired to correct her. He didn’t want to talk about it. “Okay, Mom.”
He nearly chimed in with his good-bye when she started up again.
“How’s the phantom pain?”
“It’s usually not too bad.”
“Is the mirror box therapy helping?”
“Yeah, amazing how the brain can be tricked into thinking a missing limb is still there. That guy who invented the technique is pure genius.”
Phoenix had been skeptical of the idea that seeing his right leg in a mirror would fool his brain into thinking his left leg was still there. Minds are mysterious. Somehow, it did diminish his pain.
“Maybe I should come out early, or stay with you for a bit after Easter.”
“You’re always welcome here, but really, there’s no need. How’s your business? It’s been busy, right?”
“Yeah, people in this town take on redecoration like spring cleaning. I’ve got two clients who need whole rooms redone before the holidays.”
“Then I’ll just see you at Easter.”
“Remember, if you change your mind, feel free to bring someone next week.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” When hell freezes over.