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“Not like that,” Silvia said. “Go ahead. I’ll meet you up there.”

He took the stairs two at a time and flung himself on the bed, rolling over onto his side and propping up his head. When she walked into his room, lugging a big present, Silvia stopped and stared. Then she laughed.

He rolled out of bed to free her of the burden she was carrying. “What is this? An inflatable mattress?”

“Yes, Omar. It’s the classiest gift a gal can give her man. Let’s blow it up and make babies.”

“I mean, if you insist.” He set the bundle down on the floorand tugged at the ribbon. He kept unfolding PVC flaps until he saw enough details to finally understand. “Wait, is this an inflatable raft?”

“Because we were talking about—”

“Fishing from a boat!” he said, grinning in excitement. “This is going to be so cool!”

“It’s more of a gag gift,” Silvia said. “I don’t think we should actually fish from it.”

“Why not?”

“Hooks and an easily punctured boat are not a good combination.”

“Ha! I guess not. We’ll be careful though. We at least have to try!”

“Okay,” Silvia said. “But without Hugo. He’s not a good swimmer.” Her forehead crinkled in concern. “Weren’t you going to call your friend?”

“Huh? Oh! Right.” He got up and grabbed the little black book he kept phone numbers in. He brought it, along with the cordless handset, back to where he had unfolded the raft and sat in the middle of it to amuse Silvia. He dialed the number but it just rang and rang. “Maybe he’s on his way over,” he said when hanging up.

“Unless something happened to him,” Silvia replied.

“Like what?”

“I don’t know, but if he was in an accident on the way over, he would probably be at the urgent care center.”

Or maybe he decided to stay home and watch porn. That seemed more likely to him, but she sure seemed worried. “I bet he’s fine.”

“I’ve got a bad feeling,” she said. “Please.”

She was nibbling on her lower lip, which was cute. And irresistible. “Okay,” he said. “What the hell.” He flopped onto his back and dialed information, asking to be connected to the urgent care center. The phone only rang once. “Hey!” he said after being greeted by a woman. “I’m looking for a friend of mine and wanted to make sure he didn’t show up there.”

“What’s his name?” the woman asked.

“Ricky Nishikawa. God, I hope I got that right.”

“Yes!” the woman said instantly. “You said that you’re his friend? Can you help us get in touch with his parents?”

“Wait,” Omar said, sitting upright. “What’s going on?”

“I’m afraid I can’t divulge the details over the phone, except to say that he’s stable and in good condition.”

“Jesus,” Omar replied. “You had to stabilize him or whatever? That sounds bad! Can I come visit?”

“If he’s willing to see you, then yes.”

“Right now?”

“If you wish.”

“I’ll be right there!”

He hung up and turned to Silvia. “You’re psychic,” he said.