Augustus arrived at the Harper estate fifteen minutes early. Naturally.
I watched from the window as he stepped out of the car: pressed shirt, tailored trousers, the expression of a man about to testify before Congress. A slim folder was tucked under his arm.
"Good morning," he said when I came down the steps.
"What's that?"
"A few questions."
"For the doctor?"
"Yes."
"How many?"
"Twelve."
"Twelve?"
"I've already eliminated the unnecessary ones."
I had chosen the obstetrician myself, and booked the appointment myself, and he hadn't said one word about the four hospitals. I decided to count that as growth.
He was also gripping the folder a little too hard, which meant he was more nervous than I was. I let him keep that to himself.
Halfway there, he glanced over. "Have you eaten?"
"If this is the start of a nutritional assessment, I'm getting out at the next light."
"I was going to offer you something."
"Oh."
