FULL CIRCLE

Chapter 45

Miles awakened and slowly sat up waiting for the dizziness and nausea to assail him again. To his relief all he felt was a dull throbbing headache, which he decided, was manageable. At least he didn't feel as bad as he did last night.

Frank was reading the morning newspaper but looked up when he heard Miles stir, "Feeling better this morning?" he asked.

"Yeah. Now if you don't mind I'd like to clean up and get dressed," the younger man replied as he rummaged in his bag.

"Okay. Natalie wanted to make sure you ordered room service and got something to eat," Frank said, returning his attention to his paper.

"I was gonna do that anyway," Miles replied. Grabbing his clean clothes he stalked off toward the bathroom. Standing in the shower he let the hot water ease away the tensions of the past few days.

Frank had finished his paper and was checking the nightstand to make sure he had everything when he noticed the picture and idly picked it up.

Miles had returned to his bed and was tying his shoes when he saw Frank looking at the photo. The last time he remembered seeing it was when he pulled it out of his pocket with his wallet. Obviously Natalie had saved it for him and he wasn't sure he was glad if she had or not. Making a grab for the picture, he said, "Give me that."

Frank handed it over saying, "Cute kid. Who is she?"

"My sister," Miles said briefly. He set aside the photo and resumed tying his shoes, his posture clearly telling Frank to drop the subject. Frank shrugged and resumed packing.

Miles found the room service menu and quickly looked it over trying to find something to his liking. Although his stomach no longer felt queasy, he wasn't taking any chances. Finally he selected a glass of juice and some cereal and toast and made the call. Looking up at Frank, he asked "Satisfied?"

"I'm not the one to talk to," Frank reminded him. "I just do what I'm told."

Miles was about to challenge him on that statement when a soft knock sounded on the door and Natalie asked, "Okay to come in?"

"Sure. We're all decent," Frank told her. "Although I can't say Grumpy here would be very good company." He dodged the pillow Miles threw at him.

"Am I interrupting something?" Natalie asked hiding a smile as she stepped in to see Frank tossing the pillow back at Miles.

"Nothing. Just returning a pillow I borrowed," Frank replied.

Natalie gave up trying not to smile. They reminded her of two little boys caught in the act. Especially Miles with his hair sticking up and in need of a good combing. She turned to him and asked, "How are you feeling this morning?"

"A lot better. I was just waiting for breakfast," he replied.

Natalie looked him over, noticing that he looked almost his normal self although a bit pale. "Okay. I'll leave you to your breakfast," she replied, resisting the urge to tell him to comb his hair.

Room service arrived and Miles sat back to enjoy his breakfast in peace. With having practically nothing to eat since the day before, he knew he really needed it. Now what he could use after that was a hot cup of coffee.

Miles was just finishing up when Frank returned from talking with Stephen, "I can take you to get your car. That is if you don't mind one little stop along the way," he told Miles.

"I don't mind. Let's get going," Miles replied, reaching for the keys.