Page 138 of Jonesing for a Spy

“I meant me, Hambone. Scooter trusting you with her secret is one thing. Me trusting you with mine is another.”

“So you’re… a spy?” He looks at our mother as if he’s never seen her before.

“Was. Still am, but only when contract jobs come up that they need an older woman… one who can handle herself. And speak Portuguese.”

“You speak Portuguese too?” Jamie asks, his face surely cramping from the puzzled look on his face.

“Claro, filho. Não seja bobo.” With that, she waltzes from the station and out into the Texas night.

“What does that mean?” Strider asks. His voice is an awe-filled whisper.

“No fucking clue, but it wasn’t English,” Hambone replies, before turning his focus from the double glass doors to me. “You and I have things to discuss.”

“Okay.”

“But first, can we get Mirren’s knee checked out?” Strider supplies.

“And a meal,” Jamie adds.

“Thought you’d never ask. I have a doctor lined up at UT Health. We just need an Uber.”

Jamie and Strider look at each other before both looking at me.

“What?” I shrug.

Jamie shakes his head and leaves the station.

And I’m left… reeling, hurting, and exhausted. All my bravado is gone. “Mind helping me?” I ask Strider.

His face goes soft, and his forehead drops to mine. “For as long as we both shall live, Freckles.”

Strider

“Do you mean to tell me that in the two days you were gone, you managed to connect with someone who has one of the leading sports medicine surgeons in the country on speed dial? So much so that he would drop whatever is going on to see you at your convenience?” Jamie’s voice is rising, revealing his continued frustration.

As reticent as he normally is, he’s been non-stop questioning.

And non-stop accusing.

I’m good with the first. It helps me not have to ask. Besides, the Jones family dynamic is fascinating. But the attitude behind his accusation is grating on my nerves.

Standing, I put myself between him and the woman I love. “Take it down a notch. I get you’re angry, but taking that out on Mirren won’t happen on my watch.”

He bows up, seething down at me and attempting to lord the couple inch height difference he has over me.

“She’s your sister, and the bond you have is special. Are you actually angry that the best of the best is looking at her knee?”

He exhales and shakes his head.

“I get it, man. Lies suck. So talk to her. Ask her, but don’t get mad that she needs another surgery and that someone qualified is doing it.”

That does it. The wind is completely sucked from his sails and defeat takes over.

Walking back to Mirren, I kiss her forehead and then her lips. “I’m gonna go to the waiting room with your mom. Text me or call me when you need me.”

She nods and looks past me to her brother. “Don’t make me send you out there. You do not want to go down the June Jones rabbit hole. Trust me when I tell you that.”

His sigh could fill a hot air balloon to the point of liftoff.