As mentioned, this is the "what happens next" from "The Aid Society," so things will make a bit more sense if you read it first. (I'll wait ;) )
ooo
Kathryn paced in front of the vid screen, not quite able to sit down and make the call.
"Oh, for heaven's sake, Kathryn, grow a spine," she scolded herself. "This is Tom, who you talk with every other week or so."
But this wasn't exactly a social call, considering what she learned during drinks with Julia last week. Tom had filed for divorce; a custody battle was looming. And while she had a … conflict of interest, she had to make sure he and Miral were all right.
She finally punched in the code, expecting to leave a message. But Tom answered. He looked tired but gave her a welcoming grin.
"Well, hello there. I wasn't expecting to hear from you." He glanced up at the vid code. "Getting bored up at McKinley?"
"Getting aggravated is more like it. I'm up to my backside in balky tech. However, I've heard something, and I wanted to check on you."
He winced and scrubbed his hand over his face. "You've been talking to my father," he accused.
"Nope. I hear he's at DS4."
"Well, I haven't told Harry. Has Kathleen been talking to your sister?"
"Maybe, but Phee hasn't said anything."
"Then how …" He looked at her in disbelief. "My mother?"
She shrugged. "Ran into her at the latest formal event. She took me out for drinks."
"My mother took you out for drinks," he said flatly. "Was she celebrating?"
"Didn't come across that way. She's worried about you."
He rolled his eyes. "So she put you up to calling."
She rolled her eyes in return. "No," she admonished. "I care about what happens to you. Thought I'd check in, see if there's anything I can do; have you for dinner, baby-sit my darling goddaughter ..."
He sat back. "Well, I may take you up on the babysitting. I'm trying to get through this course on Level Creation, and I need more quiet than I usually get. I hate to keep asking my family."
"I'll be back by the weekend and plan to be in town for a while. So say the word." She paused. "If things even out soon, I'd like to have you over for dinner. You haven't seen my new place, and you could be the first dinner guest."
"First dinner guest? That's a surprise," he thought. "Mind if I give you a call next week?"
"That works for me. And if you need me to stay with Miral before that, just call." She winked at him. "Take care, OK?"
He nodded, and the screen went blank. On her side, Kathryn sank back in her chair, relieved. Tom continued to stare thoughtfully at the screen.