Page 11 of Break Line

“Hey, Mom, how are you doing?”

“Nathan! So good to hear from you! How are things in paradise?”

“As well as can be expected without my babies, Irene. I’ve met some of my mom’s family here. Gotten settled into the job for the most part. Got a nanny lined up for the girls.”

“Fantastic. I know the girls are anxious to go see their dad and swim with dolphins.”

He chuckled. “Can I talk to them? Are they up?”

“Sorry, no. We’ve set bedtime at nine. They seem to do well with the schedule.”

Of course, he had forgotten about the time difference. “How are you and Dad doing? Everything OK? Everyone healthy?”

“We’re just fine. Dave went to the doctor the other day. He’s fit as a fiddle. I finished my thirtieth 5K this past weekend. Came in third in my age group.”

“Way to go, Mom! Good to hear everyone’s healthy there.”

He let out a breathy sigh.

“What is it, Nate? That was not a sigh of relief.”

“No, ma’am. I’ve got some bad news. I, well…” He let out another sigh, then took a deep breath blowing his air out slowly. “Mom, I was attacked by a shark.”

“Yes, we knew that, hun. Your cousin Kai called us to let us know. But, you’re doing better now, right? Isn’t that why they have you in rehab?”

“They patched up my leg, but infection set in, and last week they amputated my left leg to mid-thigh. I’m in rehab to learn to walk again. Doctor said in a few weeks I’d get a prosthetic leg.”

“Oh, honey. I had no idea. Would you like Dave to fly out to see you at the end of this week? He’s got days to burn for his vacation or else he’s going to lose them. Maybe he could bring those darling girls of yours out with him. I’m sure that would cheer you up, and they’ve been dying to see you.”

“That would be great. I have a nanny lined up to take care of them while I’m in here. Why don’t the both of you fly out? I’d love to see you both. If you don’t mind chauffeuring around a cripple, I can show you some interesting places.”

“Oh, pish posh, Nathan Fletcher. You are not going to start on that self-pity road. No, sir. You are stronger than that. Cripple my fine ass!”

He chuckled. She had always been a beautiful woman, and he recalled her pageant photos. “Yes, indeed, Mom, you’ve always had a fine ass.”

“That’s better. You know, I would love to take a trip to Hawaii. What better time than now? We’re not getting any younger you know.”

“Great! You won’t have to worry about a hotel; you can stay at my house. Just let me know the flight arrangements.”

“Won’t Dave be surprised! I’ll let you know and give you a call back as soon as we’ve ironed out the details. You take care of yourself and no more of that cripple talk, you hear me?”

“Will do my best.”

He lay back on the pillow, staring at the ceiling. Mom never failed to cheer him up, but he didn’t know if her brief ray of sunshine would be enough to get him through the hell that lay before him.

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