And you love me.
If you start singing 'Barney,' I'll kill you. I've already done prison time. I'm not afraid to do
more.
Big Cyndi stuck her head in. She was smiling. With the orange skin, she looked like the most
frightening jack-o'-lantern imaginable. Marty Towey on line two.
Til take it, Esperanza said.
And I have Enos Cabral on line three.
Mine, said Myron.
At the end of a wonderfully long workday Win came into the office. I spoke to Esperanza, he
said. We're all doing pizza and old CBS Sunday at my place.
I can't.
Win arched an eyebrow. All in the Family, M*A*S*H, Mary Tyler Moore, Bob Newhart, Carol
Burnett?
Sony.
The Sammy Davis episode of All in the Family!
Not tonight, Win.
Win looked concerned. I know you want to punish yourself, he said, but this is taking self
flagellation too far.
Myron smiled. It's not that.
Don't tell me you want to be alone. You never want to be alone.
Sorry, I got other plans, Myron said.
Win arched the eyebrow, turned, left without another word.
Myron picked up the phone. He dialed the familiar number. I'm on my way, he said.
Good, Mom said. I already called Fong's. I got two orders of shrimp with lobster sauce.
Mom?
What?
I really don't like their shrimp in lobster sauce anymore.
What? You've always loved it. It's your favorite.
Not since I was fourteen.
So how come you never told me?
I have. Several times.
And what, you expect me to remember every little thing? So what are you trying to tell me,
Myron, your taste buds are too mature for Fong's shrimp with lobster sauce now? Who do you
think you are, the Galloping Gourmet or something?
Myron heard his father yell in the background. Stop bothering the boy.
Who's bothering him? Myron, am I bothering you?
And tell him to hurry, Dad shouted. The game's almost on.
Big deal, Al. He doesn't care.
Myron said, Tell Dad I'm on my way.
Drive slowly, Myron. There's no rush. The game will wait.
Okay, Mom.
Wear a seat belt.
Sure thing.
And your father has a surprise for you.
Ellen! It was Dad again.
What's the big deal, Al?
I wanted to tell him
Oh stop being silly, Al. Myron?
Yeah, Mom?
Your father bought tickets to a Mets game. For Sunday. Just the two of you.
Myron swallowed, said nothing.
They're playing the Tunas, Mom said.
The Marlins! Dad shouted.
Tunas, marlins what's the difference? You going to be a marine biologist now, Al? Is that
what you're going to do with your leisure time, study fish?
Myron smiled.
Myron, you there?
I'm on my way, Mom.
He hung up. He slapped his thighs and stood. He said good night to Esperanza and Big Cyndi. He stepped into the elevator and managed a smile. Friends and lovers were great, he thought, but sometimes a boy just wanted his mom and dad.
HARLAN COBEN, winner of the Edgar Award, the Shamus Award, and the Anthony Award, is the author of eight other critically acclaimed novels: Deal Breaker, Drop Shot, Fade Away, Back Spin, One False Move, Darkest Fear, Tell No One, and Gone for Good. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and four children. Visit his website at www.harlancoben.com.
