[July 12]

"This one is only $590 a month," Tami said. She leaned forward on the couch and circled an advertisement in the apartment section of a local Arlington paper she'd picked up.

"What's the address?" asked Mr. Taylor from the arm chair he was sitting in.

She told him.

"That's not a good part of Arlington. You're going to need to pay at least $650 for a two-bedroom in a decent part of town." He gestured for the paper. "Let me see that."

She handed it over, partly peeved at her father-in-law's interference and partly grateful for it. He got up from his arm chair and sat down next to her on the couch and told her about the neighborhoods where each apartment was located. "I've done a bit of work in Arlington," he said. "And of course the stadium's there. Can't wait to take Eric to a Cowboy's game."

"Ticket prices are insane these days," Eric said.

"A client gave me two seasons passes."

Eric looked over his shoulder at his father. He'd pulled the arm chair up close to the TV. He was watching the game tape he'd picked up from his future boss yesterday. His job might not officially start until August 10, but his work had already started. "Seriously?"

Mr. Taylor nodded.

"What do you think, sugar?" Tami asked Eric. "Of all these apartment choices?"

"Whatever you want, babe. Just so long as it's not more than seven miles from Bowie High and not more than $650 a month." He returned his attention to the screen and made a note on his pad.

"Why $650, hon?" Tami asked. "There's a nice one here for $700. A little bigger than our old apartment. It even has a private balcony off the living room and a washer and a dryer. No more carting laundry to the apartment washroom."

"$650 a month is about a third of my income," Eric said. "You're supposed to stay within a third of your income for housing."

"Well, we'll have my income too."

"You don't have a job yet."

Tami didn't want to be reminded of that. She'd started sending her resume to elementary schools, even though she wanted to work with older kids and didn't know what kind of counseling you were supposed to give second graders. "I'll get a job," she said.

"Well, we should plan to live on just my income. That way, if you don't get a job, or one of us ever loses a job, we won't suddenly be in over our heads. Or if you decide you want to stay home with Julie."

"I want to work," Tami insisted.

"Okay. But if you decide - "

"- I'm not going to decide that."

"A'ight. But if we learn to live on just my income, the option is at least there."

"He's being wise there, Tami," Mr. Taylor said. "It's good to live below your means."

Tami ignored her father-in-law. She was focused on what Eric had been saying. "Do you want me to stay at home?"

"I want you to do what you want, babe," Eric said. "But it's been real nice this summer. Always having you home when I get home. Dinner ready. Knowing Julie was with you and not some stranger all day. Being able to hear about what you two did together and everything new my baby girl said and learned. Not having to juggle schedules. It's been...relaxed."

"Well I want to work! And I want an apartment with a washer and dryer. I hated carting those clothes around."

"Well, as long as it has hook-ups," Mr. Taylor told her, "you can always get a washer and dryer. I can get you a used one for cheap, maybe even free, while I'm working."

"You still fixing and installing washers, Dad?" Eric asked. "I thought that was beneath you now."

"Honest work is never beneath any man, Eric."

"Even teaching?" Eric asked.

"I've never suggested there's no dignity in teaching, son. I just wanted…" He stopped himself. "That's a good spread offense they've got going."

"Uh, yeah," Eric said returning his eyes to the TV. "I was thinking…."

Tami returned her attention to the rental section of the newspaper while the talk turned to football.

[*]

Over the bed that night, Eric handed Tami a folded piece of paper.

"What's this?" she asked.

"I got out of class early today. I went to the library after."

Her heart sank.

"This one's a lawyer also," he said. "In San Diego. Will you call her tomorrow?"

Tami looked at the number and sighed. She thought for sure he'd given up on this quest. He hadn't mentioned it to her for days.

"Please?" he asked. "This is the last one. Then I'm done."

"Okay," she said quietly. "If you need me to."

[July 13]

Tami settled Andrew down for his nap, checked that the living room was secure for Julie to play in, and then went to the kitchen phone. After calling the latest number Eric had given her, she began her rehearsed spiel, ending with, "Did you graduate from East Tyler High in 1970?"

"1969," the woman said.

Tami had fully expected a no. She was so stunned she wasn't sure what to say next.

"Hello?" the woman said.

"Did...did you know a Garrett Taylor?"

"Who is this?"

Tami swallowed. "My husband...my husband is Garrett Taylor's son. I think maybe he's your son too."

There was a long, shaky sigh from the other end of the line. "Don't ever call here again."

Click.

[*]

That night, as Eric lay in bed talking about how glad he would be when this certification program wrapped up, Tami felt a cramping in her stomach. She didn't want to tell him about the call.

He hadn't asked about it. Maybe he'd forgotten. Maybe she should say nothing.

"How was your day?" he asked.

"Fine," she said.

"You a'ight? You seem upset about something."

"Uh….no," she lied. "My day was fine."

He turned on his side and kissed her. "Are you mad that I said I like you at home?"

"No, I'm not mad about that," she answered honestly. "But I do want to work. I can't not work, Eric. I don't want to have gone to college for nothing."

"It wouldn't be nothing. You got an education. And you could put that degree to use when Julie is in high school."

"And what would be my chances of getting a job then, when I have over a decade-long blank spot on my resume?"

"A'ight," he said quietly.

"And we need the money."

Now he tensed. "I can provide," he muttered. "I can coach summer football camps, too, make more money. I'll get raises. I'll work my way up. I can provide for this family. Not NFL level provision, but y'all will have food and clothes and shelter and - "

"- I didn't mean it as an insult to your manhood, Eric. I just...it would be nice to have a little more, is all."

He rolled onto his back and threw an arm above his head. "Sorry I can't give you his and hers closets full of shoes and a pool."

"I don't need his and hers closets full of shoes and a pool. I just want a washer and dryer and a balcony and a little extra money so I can get my nails done twice a year."

"I'll do your nails for you, babe," he said with a smile.

She laughed. She was relieved to hear him joke. She kissed his chin. "Yeah? Will you give me a thirty minute foot massage along with the pedicure?"

"Oh, I'll give you the full treatment. Naked, full body massage."

"I don't think you can get that at the salon."

"You can in Eric Taylor's salon."

She squealed as he grasped the edge of her shirt and pulled it up. She raised her hands so he could get it off. "Roll on your stomach," he said. "I'll take care of you."

She did, and felt him slide her panties down and off her ankles.

As he pulled the lotion from the nightstand, and began to work in slow, tantalizing strokes on her body, she forgot all about the phone call.