It was only 7:00. I didn’t have to be at work until 8:30, but I was trying to catch Cherisse before she left for work. I managed to answer the phone on the second ring. “Hello?” I said, trying hard not to choke on half-chewed food. “Why are you so out of breath?” asked Carl, chuckling softly. I quickly swallowed the toast and washed it down with a gulp of orange juice. “Hey, sweetie. How’s the trial going?” “That’s why I’m calling. Looks like things are going to wrap up sooner than I thought. So I’ll be in town tomorrow night instead of Saturday afternoon. Have you been thinking about what we talked about?” “I’ve hardly thought of anything else,” I replied, slumping into a nearby kitchen chair. “Good. Then I bet you have an answer for me. I’ll see you tomorrow night, babe.” He hung up and I sat there holding the receiver, staring off into space.
