Episode 1038: Fix You

“I’ll have to call you back. I have some things I need to look over before we solidify this deal. I’ll be in touch.”

He hung up and walked over to where Tansy attached the leash to Walter’s collar. She regarded him with a plainly distressed expression on her face.

“Hey, Grandpa, we’ll be out of your hair in a sec.”

“No hurry, I’m due a break anyway. Why don’t you join me?” Phillip asked. “I happened to fall prey to the smells from the bakery down the street this afternoon. I bought some of those cheesy bread sticks you like so much. There’s more than enough for two.”

“I heard you say you have stuff to look over. I don’t want to keep you from that. I’ll just-”

“What you heard was a negotiating tactic. Make them wait, make them worry, make them offer more concessions.” That hadn’t actually been his motivation for ending the call, but it may well work to his advantage that way and it would certainly sit better with Tansy than telling her he hung up out of concern for her.

“Why don’t you stay a few minutes, I’m sure Walter wouldn’t mind waiting around if it meant a few nibbles thrown his way.”

Tansy wore a look of resignation on her face as if to say it’s either this or going off to cry alone. He was likely inferring too much into what she might be thinking but by all appearances she did seem on the verge of tears.

Phillip supposed his granddaughter viewed him as a means to stave off the emotion bubbling inside her and that was why she said, “I guess I may as well stay for a bit, Walter wouldn’t want to miss out on bread sticks.”

“Good decision, let’s have a seat, shall we?” And then Phillip would come up with just the right thing to get to the bottom of what had her upset.

Episode 1039: Cruel Summer