Page 83 of Emergency Exit
“Was it an Uber? A friend? Who picked her up?”
“I think it was a friend,” said Ash. “A woman was driving.”
Forest stretched, reaching for the tablet on the kitchen counter, trying not to move the leg Olly was attached to.
“Forest, your company is in the middle of a crisis. Chloe probably thought you needed to distance yourself from her.”
Olly spotted a Lego under the table and walked away, freeing up Forest.
“Yeah, that’s exactly what she thought, but she’s a Buddhist nun who believes in self-sacrifice,” said Forest. Olly came back with the Lego and held it up to Ash.
“Buddhist nun,” repeated Ash. “Oh. Is that where she learned kung fu?”
“What?” asked Forest.
“Kung fu!” yelled Olly and kicked Ash in the shin.
“Ow!” yelled Ash, hopping up and down and grabbing his shin and the edge of the counter.
Forest looked down at Olly in surprise. Olly looked up in equal astonishment.
“Nice shot,” said Forest.
“Thanks for the support,” snapped Ash.
“You’re three feet taller than he is. If my son can take you out,I think that warrants a compliment.”
“Your son could take out a brick wall. He’s a bowling ball of destruction!” Ash pulled up his pant leg to inspect his shin.
“We don’t kick Uncle Ash, bud,” said Forest.
“Chloe kicks,” said Olly sourly. “Want Chloe.” He sat on the floor and stuck Bear’s paw back in his mouth.
“I know, bud,” said Forest. “Me too.”
“Forest, you need to stop and think,” said Ash. “You need to get a damn lawyer on this situation.”
“Olly, kick Uncle Ash’s other leg,” said Forest.
Olly laughed around Bear’s paw, and Ash glared at both of them.
“Olly, why don’t you kick Daddy?” suggested Ash. “Daddy needs a swift kick in the rear.”
Olly looked confused.
“You’re not wrong,” said Forest, still poking at the tablet. “But it should have happened about two days ago. Maybe it would have stopped me from being an idiot.”
“I want Chloe,” said Olly, trying to peer over the edge of the counter as he heard her voice on the security feed.
“Chloe went to see Daisy,” said Forest, shutting down the tablet, and Olly perked up, recognizing the name. “And now you have to stay here with Uncle Ash while I go get her.” He ruffled Olly’s hair. “Don’t worry. I’ll bring Chloe home soon.”
Ash and Olly watched Forest jog out to the garage, but when he looked down at Olly, Ash saw the same doubt he felt.
“I really think they’ll be home soon,” said Ash. “How do you feel about dino nuggets while we call Uncle Rowan?”
“Unca Roan!” chirped Olly.
Ash managed the sheet pan of nuggets while crossing texts with Rowan, which ended abruptly when Rowan texted that he was going to get Forest and that Vivian would come and wait with Ash.
