A Room With A View

Chapter Forty-Eight - David/Phineas

November 21, Tuesday

David

David clenched and unclenched his fists. He'd offered to pick Alice and...Sam...up from the airport, but they'd declined. Alice hadn't wanted her dad to go out of his way to pick her up.

David kicked the foam ball, sending it rolling through his office and bouncing against the metallic filing cabinet. He'd wanted to pick up Alice from the airport so that he could leave Sam there.

Phineas

Phineas stood in the exact center of his office. The door was wide open, which was unusual for Phineas. He found that an open door tended to invite in unwanted guests--which included the entire Watley community--but Phineas wished to listen for the sound of Alice's voice. She was returning to the Watley today, and they hadn't spoken since exchanging harsh words on Saturday. Phineas had attempted a phone call, but he'd only managed to dial six digits before hanging up immediately, his hands shaking. He hadn't known what to say. He didn't think he meant to apologize, but he hadn't wanted to needle her either. How did people reconnect after splaying each other raw? Shaina would've known, but Phineas didn't have the words to express himself to her.

He heard the soft swish of the glass door opening. Phineas sucked in a breath, and held it. Simon gave the entrant a warm welcome. A quiet part of Phineas recognized that Simon had never shown him the same courtesy, but that part was drown out by the sound of Alice's voice.

Phineas's feet took him from his office into the lobby, while his mind struggled to catch up.

Alice was standing resplendent on the lobby's marble floor. She was bathed in the mid-morning light, her red hair framing her face like the flame from a fire.

Phineas's feet stopped carrying him forward.

"Alice," he breathed.

Her head swiveled on her neck, her green eyes coming to rest on Phineas. A fleeting smile touched her lips.

"Phineas," she said.

Phineas broke from protocol, and crossed the distance to hug Alice with both arms.

He heard Simon muffle a startled gasp, and Phineas immediately let go, his cheeks burning. He did not hug Watley residents. He did not hug anyone.

"Phineas," Alice said, "this is Sam."

It was then that Phineas noticed Sam for the first time. He was attached to Alice's arm. Sam stood tall and broad, with the kind of chiseled features Grecian sculptors would have begged to carve.

"I've heard so much about you," Sam said, his accent barely perceptible. He extended a hand.

Phineas did not take it.

David

The doorbell rang. David could hear Tanya moving to get it. He sucked in a breath, and stepped out of his office.

Alice stood framed by the doorway. She gripped Tanya in a fierce hug, and let go, stepping back. David noticed her smile first. It was warm and free, in a way that it hadn't been before. It made David's heart fall just a little to see her so much happier with someone who was going to take her away.

"Dad!" Alice said, catching sight of David. She leaped over the threshold and wrapped her arms around David's neck, just like she used to when she was little.

A lump formed in David's throat. He peeled off Alice's arms. He looked past her, to where a big, hulking man stood in the doorway.

"You must be Sam," David said, extending a hand. Sam took a bold step into the apartment and shook David's hand warmly.