Page 115 of Crystal Iris
She doesn’t get in the truck until I move to the passenger seat.
“Fine, suit yourself. It’s a long drive from here.”
“So tell me… how are things going? You look different… happy,” she says, taking a long look at me.
“Everything is great. Does Broc know you’re coming?”
“No.” She speeds up.
“He likes you.”
“Does he?”
I know she doesn’t want to talk about him. “How was Chicago?”
She goes on to tell me about her lovely nephew, the arguments with her parents, and the issue with still being single, unmarried, and without children.
“You can’t blame them, now that they have a taste for being grandparents.”
“It’s never enough with them. I’m never enough.”
“At least they care.”
“I guess.” She pauses. “You and Hoyt, still keeping things slow?”
“Yes.”
“And how’s that going?”
“Good, great. I’m busy with the horses and the paperwork.” It’s been days since our outing in the truck bed. Hoyt seems to be taking my request for space very seriously.
“I thought you were on vacation.”
“I’m on vacation from my professor’s life.”
Akira brings up NASA and her latest job offer.
“That’s a lot of money,” I tell her.
“I know, but like I said, I’m not interested in leaving the academic world.”
“I’m sure you could still teach on the side.”
“I’m not moving to Texas.”
“What about your research?” I ask.
“Still working on it.”
I look outside my window. “I’m glad you came.” We’ve barely talked these past weeks with her being so busy.
“Me too. Look at this view.”
“Yeah, it’s beautiful here.”
Hoyt walks out to greet us. I know he wants to help with the bag.
“How was your flight?” he asks Akira after giving her a hug.
