She said, “The results will be up soon. But the tech is a friend of mine. She said everything looks normal.”
On the way back to her house, she added, “I’ll apologize for jumping the gun if you want me to.”
“No, of course. You were doing what was best.”
She reached over and grabbed his hand.
Once home, she got Oliver settled on the couch again, called her mom then came back inside. “They’ll be right over.”
“Good. But I can go home in an Uber if you want me to.”
“Do you want to?”
“No.”
“Then stay. They’ll like meeting you.”
Her mom and dad arrived each carrying a child. Lucy yelled, “Ma ma ma.”
Emily smiled broadly.
Anabelle put them in two play centers that she’d brought out. Each had beads and other activities attached to it. But when they got a glance at Oliver, they both lifted their arms. “Up, up, up” they said simultaneously.
“Not yet, girls.” She transferred her gaze to her parents. “Oliver, meet Lila and Duncan Baxter.”
“Hello Oliver,” her mother responded.
Her dad shoved his hands in his pockets. “Oliver.”
Lila Baxter cocked her head. “How were you wounded?”
“I tripped over a barbell at my practice this morning.”
“Practice?”
“I’m a massage therapist.”
“I fully support alternative medicine. Are you in the new collective that opened near the outskirts of town?”
“Yes.”
“How long have you lived in Rockford?” Duncan asked.
“All my life.”
“Anabelle told us some about you.”
“I’m glad.”
Duncan grasped her mother’s arm. “Now, let’s go, Lila. The man is injured.” He kissed Anabelle’s cheek while Lila went to kiss the girls. “Call when you can.”
“I will, Dad.”
After they left Oliver collapsed back onto the couch pillows. “I didn’t make a very good impression.”
“You did fine. Now, take this pill and go back to sleep.”
He gulped back the medicine with some water from a bottle she’d given him. Then he crossed to the girls. Both said, “Up, up, up.”