Chapter 4 — The Sunday Phone Calls

TomDad, it's eleven at night in Houston.

WalterI'm at your house.

TomYou're — why are you at my house?

WalterDenver cancelled. I drove.

TomIs Lily okay? Dad. Is she okay?

WalterShe was on a dining chair at the sink at twenty to nine with a cut thumb and no dinner.

TomWhat?

WalterRachel tipped a roasting pan over the plates she'd already washed and told her to start again.

TomThat's — Dad, that can't be right. Rachel's strict but she wouldn't —

WalterTom.

TomLet me talk to her.

WalterIn a minute. First I want to ask you something and I want you to think before you answer.

TomOkay.

WalterHas Lily ever told you she doesn't want to stay home when you travel.

TomShe's said she'd rather come with me. Every kid says that.

WalterHas she ever asked to stay at mine instead.

Tom...Once or twice.

WalterHow many times.

TomI don't know. A few.

WalterShe's asked me nineteen times. I wrote them down.

TomYou wrote them down?

WalterAfter the fourth one, yes.

TomDad, why didn't you say anything?

WalterBecause every time I raised it, you told me she was adjusting. And I let you tell me that, and that's mine to carry.

TomJesus.

WalterShe calls me every Sunday at eight. Did you know that?

TomNo.

WalterShe goes in the closet in the spare room to do it. I can hear the coats.

TomI'm getting a flight.

WalterGet the first one.

TomDad — is she asleep?

WalterShe's on the sofa. She wouldn't go up to her room.

TomWhy not?

WalterBecause Rachel's still in the house.