Still, I wasn’t convinced I was going. I’d packed the carry-on-sized suitcase I’d used to travel the world. My laptop and camera bags were ready to go. And over the last twenty-four hours I’d successfully cleared my schedule for a week. Clients were appeased. Kirky, my agent, was supportive, probably because he wanted to see the shots. Of course Jordan thought I was already on my way out the door and made me promise to call from the road at the end of my first day. She hid it well, but I knew she wasn’t thrilled I’d chosen to handle the burden alone. I’d made the case that she had her good name and a lot of money riding on several high-profile closings. She should stay. Frankly, the truth was a pretty good reason, too. Her joining me would have felt very serious. Very adult. Very much like something a couple would do. Since sitting down with Larry I’d avoided watching the news or going beyond ESPN.com on the Internet. This freed my consciousness to make a rational choice, not one mired in the emotionally-draining images still floating north from the Gulf region.
