Page 36 of Protect Me
“Ugly,” I muttered. “I mean, I like early mornings, but that isearly.”
She smiled. “I don’t mind. It’s like I have the world to myself. Anyway, thank you again for dinner and for giving me a place to crash. I’m sure I’ll be able to find something else soon so I’m out of your way.”
My attempt to protest fell on an empty kitchen.
Kate was already gone.
A blast of heat swept over me when I sat in my car, grimacing.
My knee smarted—in a lot of good ways—but still didn’t feel ready. The healed-over incision had a nice pink tinge to it, indicating great progress. The bulky, black brace annoyed me everyday, but it was better than the pain. At least I could drive myself with full physician approval.
“Astounding progress.” Jake, my physical therapist had said. “Keep up the good work, Vik. You can toss those crutches aside now, unless you feel like you need them. Use them as support if you’re tired. Our next goal is to get the brace off next week, then we’ll focus on your ten weeks post-op goal. We’re not far away. Each week, you’ll be able to walk unassisted a little bit longer.”
The car purred when I started it. I shoved the air vents to the side, threw on my seat belt, and backed out of the parking lot. Before I built up steam on the highway headed back to Pineville, the phone rang. I saw the name on the screen and groaned.
No avoiding it now.
A familiar voice sang through the car. “Hello Vikram, my favorite son who never calls his Amma.”
“Hello Amma.Hegidiya?” I drawled dutifully.
“How did it go with Katelyn?” she demanded, because Amma neveraskedanything. “Is she okay? Did you get everything moved in? She’s working and hasn’t responded, but she’s normally dealing with the breakfast rush until almost noon in the summer. Were you nice to her? Did you make her some dosas?”
“Your knowledge of her schedule is sort of creepy.”
She made a rude noise. “What? We text all the time.”
“I know you do.”
“And she’s like my daughter. I consider her my daughter!”
The words twisted something inside me. “I know that also. Everything is fine, Amma. I haven’t bitten her on the full moon, we moved her stuff inside in less than twenty minutes, and she’s been here five days. So far, it’s been hit or miss whether we see each other. I’m gone when she’s there, and she’s gone when I’m there.”
Unfortunately, that was true.
Kate seemed hell-bent on staying for as short a time as she must. When she didn’t work, she scoured Pineville, Jackson City, and local listings for a place to live. Summertime actively worked against her. I could only hope she’d get tired of searching and give in, already. I had a dark feeling she avoided me on purpose.
Why, I couldn’t fathom.
“Has she had any more panic attacks?” Amma asked.
“No.”
“Good.”
Aside from a few getting-locked-out incidents, everything had been smooth sailing. She had an obsession with the house being locked while she was inside—or outside, for that matter.
“I approve of your report.” Amma’s rattled tone smoothed out. “I’m happy to hear all of that. Now that the most important person is covered, how are you?”
I scoffed. “Most important person, huh?”
Through the phone, I could feel her grin. “You know what I mean.”
Actually, it didn’t bother me.
“Really, Vik. How’s the knee?” she continued, “I’m still frustrated with you for not keeping us updated better, but I’m willing to let it slide.” Her voice softened. “I wish I could have been there to help you.”
“I know, Amma, but you’re where you need to be. And everything with the knee is fine. We’re five weeks post-op now, and I can get off crutches now. I get the brace off next week.”
