Chapter 28: Nature’s Gift

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Nolan walked into Mia and Katherine’s room holding Katherine’s hand.

At the door, Katherine pulled free.

Inside, Mia had already lit a cigarette. She rarely smoked. A pack could last her a year unless something serious happened, like the night they left the house.

Clearly, she did not consider this a small matter.

"Sit down," Mia said. "The fifth emergency family meeting is now in session. Since William is in San Francisco and cannot attend, the three of us will proceed. I, Mia Callahan, will chair."

She stared at them.

"Nolan, you first. When did this start?"

"Probably when I was five or six," Nolan said. "Dad brought home a girl who was taller than me, and I remember thinking..."

"Be serious. This is a family meeting." Mia turned to Katherine. "You."

Katherine lowered her eyes.

"On my ninth birthday, someone at school said I was an unwanted orphan. Nolan charged in and fought him for me. That was when I..."

Her answer was not much better than Nolan’s.

The difference was that Nolan had been teasing. Katherine was serious. From that day, her feelings had changed. Over the years, they fermented into something complicated, then Nolan’s recent transformation had brought them fully awake.

Mia crossed her arms and took a long drag.

She was furious at both of them and not quite sure what shape the anger should take.

"You grew up together. You’re both good-looking. It isn’t shocking that feelings happen." Her voice stayed controlled. "But this is not the time. Katherine, you’re about to begin college life. Nolan needs to focus on school and football. Why not wait until both of you are in college? If you still feel the same then, I won’t interfere."

To Mia, this was young emotion moving too fast.

If they were ordinary classmates, it would be easier. They could break up later and disappear into separate lives.

But these two lived under the same roof.

If they hurt each other, the whole family would feel it.

Mia did not want one impulsive season to leave a permanent fracture.

"Of course," Katherine said at once. "You’re right. If this is meant to last, waiting won’t hurt it."

That had been her own thought at first.

The problem was that their restraint had already begun to fail in small, dangerous ways. For now, agreeing with Mia was the only sensible choice.

"I support that with both hands," Nolan said.

Mia blinked.

She had prepared an entire speech from every possible angle. She had expected resistance, denial, drama.

They had agreed immediately.

Too immediately.

"Fine," she said slowly. "As long as you’re both being rational."

"I’m going to bed," Nolan said, standing.

"I need to shower," Katherine added. "I’m sweaty from training."

They left one after the other.

Mia crushed out the cigarette.

At first, she felt relieved. They seemed sensible.

Then doubt crept in.

She had raised Katherine almost like a daughter. In some ways, she had been gentler with Katherine than with Nolan. If the two of them truly built a life together, if Katherine became family in every possible sense, would that be so bad?

The more Mia thought, the more she regretted making the warning sound so severe.

What if they listened too well and drifted apart? Nolan was handsome, and the school was full of polished distractions. Katherine would be in college soon, surrounded by classmates with cars, plans, and too much confidence.

Mia wanted them neither too close nor too far.

The thought made her head ache.

Pretending she had seen nothing might have been the smartest option.

She nodded to herself as if this new wisdom had arrived late but intact.

...

"Name’s Eddie Murphey," the man on the public phone said. His voice carried the easy confidence of someone who had spent years making risky things sound simple. "You’re one of Thomas’s boys? He told me about you."

"That’s right. Nolan Callahan."

"Damn Irish kid."

"You’re Irish too, drunk."

Murphey laughed.

The surname alone did half the work. The two of them fell quickly into the rhythm of men pretending insults were introductions.

They talked for a while.

"Either way," Murphey said at last, "I’m your guy now. When do you want me to place it?"

"I’m still thinking."

Nolan had not fully decided. Thomas believed the Culver City Centaurs were weak, and practice had gone well, but a bet was still a risk. One wrong turn and the money evaporated.

"Smart," Murphey said. "I know Thomas’s habits. You’re young, so be careful."

"Has Thomas moved?"

"Can’t tell you another client’s business. Don’t make me say that twice."

"All right. I’ll call when I need you."

"Do that."

Nolan hung up and started to leave.

Then Flea came sprinting across the field.

"I have good news," Flea said, nearly breathless. "Culver City’s starting quarterback drove his girlfriend up to a Griffith Park overlook last night. Guess what? Head-on collision on the way down. He’s in a wheelchair for six months. We are absolutely winning this."

The overlooks were beautiful at night, but the roads were dark and dangerous if a driver got stupid.

"Looks like I need to make another call," Nolan said.

That was nature’s gift.

No reason to hesitate now.

He decided to cash Lisa’s check immediately.

...

At the same time, outside a convenience store in Culver City, the owner threw a young woman out onto the sidewalk.

"If I catch you stealing again, I’ll blow your head off."

The door slammed.

The young woman gave the store the finger, pushed herself up, and brushed dirt from her clothes.

Then she checked the wrinkled check in her pocket.

Still there.

Only three hundred dollars, but it was a month’s rent.

She gripped it tightly and started walking toward the bank she remembered. She was living on about five dollars a day now, too broke even for the bus. If she did not reach the bank before closing, she would be sleeping outside tonight.

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