SATURDAY, AUGUST 20
Lane rolled over in bed when Arthur opened the bedroom door. “What time is it?”
Arthur sat down on the bed next to him. “After eleven.”
Lane looked at the curtains and saw the sun shining in. Must be morning.
“Did you ever think that when Matt arrived on our doorstep we would live through something like this?”
Lane sat up and shook his head. He reached out and held Arthur’s hand. “We make a pretty good team, the four of us.”
“Five. The team keeps getting bigger.” He let go of Lane’s hand and stood up. “Erinn and Cam are here, and the kids. You’re missing the show.” Arthur hesitated before going to the door. “Do you think we’ll survive this?”
“What do you mean?”
“There’s not much time for you and me anymore.” Arthur went out the door and downstairs.
Lane heard Jessica speak. Then he heard Cam Harper’s voice. When he came down the stairs, he saw Harper watching his daughter. Jessica was sitting next to Matt on the living room floor, and he was reading a book to her while she pointed at the pictures. Arthur, Erinn and Christine were in conversation on the couch. As Lane stepped into the living room, Daniel handed him a cup of coffee.
Lane took a sip. “Perfect. Thank you.”
Daniel sat on the arm of the couch next to Christine.
Harper looked at his watch and smiled. “It’s almost noon.”
Lane said, “You’re kidding.”
“You slept for almost fourteen hours!” Christine said.
Harper motioned Lane over and spoke quietly. “Robert Rowe died last night. One of the bullets hit his liver. He went into a coma and didn’t regain consciousness.”
Lane nodded. “I’ve been thinking about something Saadiq said about our society needing people to wipe tables and sell cheap shit.”
“I don’t understand,” Harper said.
Lane shrugged. “I didn’t think you would because that’s not the way your mind works.”
Harper said, “I was thinking about what would have happened to Matt and Christine if you and Arthur hadn’t taken them in.”
“You’re thinking about the difference between a drive-by and driving into a card shop?” Lane asked.
“Something like that,” Harper said.
Erinn took Lane’s elbow. “You know that Matt of yours is a wonder. Jessica still thinks she went on a trip with him. He made the whole thing into a game.” She kissed Lane on the cheek.
“What’s that for?” Lane asked.
“You figure it out,” Erinn said.
Arthur looked out the window. “Lane! Answer the door. Keely’s here and she’s got Dylan with her.”
Lane went to the front door and saw Keely and Dylan smiling at each other as they met at the sidewalk side of the car. The back seat was filled with luggage, blankets and towels. They’re on their way. What will I do now?