“Such perfect timing,” Colby muttered, closer to outright annoyance than Jason had previously seen him. “I’m sorry, I’ve got to answer this, but thank you again? I’ll certainly talk to you later; Jill will want to meet with us at the end of the day, I assume.”
“She does,” Jason said. “At least eat something? Before you share it with your imaginary army.”
Colby’s phone rang more.
“I should…” Colby hesitated, in the way of someone convinced it’d be bad manners to pick up a phone with a generous guest standing on his trailer steps.
Jason solved this dilemma by saying, “Go on,” and backing down. He gave a little wave at the bottom of the steps; Colby, both hands occupied, did not wave, but gave him a small head-tip in turn.
Jason went away feeling unusually buoyant. A bubble of pride floa
