The television was on, tuned to a Bear’s football game. Ray sat on the couch staring at the screen without really seeing it. Adrienne had called and arranged for Ray to meet Alex. The two of them were coming that afternoon.
Ray probably would have had some degree of anxiety about meeting the first man Adrienne was serious about in any case, but asking her father for advice before responding to the invitation to the family Christmas had him perplexed and a bit concerned.
In his mind he kept going over the suggestions Br’er had made for why she needed his advice. He was so lost in thought that the ringing of his cell made him jump. Checking the ID he saw it was Br’er. Ray muted the TV and answered the call.
“Hey, how ya doin’?” Br’er asked.
“Okay, I guess,” Ray responded. “They’ll be her
