You already know. No, I know what you said. Frank sighed. I didn't bet because I thought you needed a man. Comforting?
I bet because I knew you'd get angry. That is terrible parenting. You're 51. My options are limited. Laura laughed despite herself.
Frank continued. You used to surprise yourself. She stopped turning the coin. You used to say yes to things and complain afterward. That sounds irresponsible.
It was entertaining. Laura smiled faintly. I wanted you angry enough to do something you didn't expect from yourself. So, you manipulated me. I prefer motivated.
Of course you do. Frank let the silence settle. Then he said, "Whatever you do next, don't do it because you think you're supposed to." He did not tell her to find Daniel. That mattered.
After they hung up, Laura sat still for another minute. Then she remembered something Daniel had said about looking at apartments near the Richmond project. If he accepted the partnership, she called Nora. Norah answered on the third ring. Daniel left.
Laura sat straighter. Where train station? What? He said he had a meeting in Washington tomorrow. Laura checked the time.
Which train? Nora paused. 10:40. Laura looked at the clock. 10:11.
She grabbed her coat. The drive took 19 minutes. Laura refused to call it a chase. It was driving with poor planning. She found Daniel near gate 4 sitting on a bench with his suitcase beside him and the wooden box on his lap.
He looked up when she stopped in front of him. He did not stand. No dramatic smile, no speech. Laura caught her breath. I hate airports.
Daniel looked at the sign above them. This is a train station. I'm having a difficult evening. That almost made him smile. Laura sat beside him.
There was space between them. Not much. She pulled the $20 bill from her purse and placed it on the bench. Daniel looked at it, then at her. I think my father cheated.
At what? Laura looked at the money. The bet. Laura kept her eyes on the $20 bill between them. I thought the bet was whether I'd bring someone home.
Daniel waited. It wasn't. What was it? She looked at him. Whether I'd keep choosing alone before anyone else got a choice.
Daniel said nothing. That helped. Laura folded the bill once. I'm sorry. For what?
For deciding your kindness was pity. Because pity was easier to reject. He looked down at the wooden box on his lap. I was going to get on this train because of work. Laura nodded.
And and because staying in Richmond had started to mean something, she waited. Daniel gave a small, tired smile. Meaning something has historically been a good reason for me to leave. Laura looked toward the track. I don't know what happens next.