The Christmas List by Richard Paul Evans Page B

up.”
    â€œAfter what I did, she still might try.”
    â€œWell, keep your guard up this time. I think you can take her.”
    He smiled in spite of his pain. “Thanks.”
    â€œI’ll put the peas back in the freezer. Would you like me to get you something for dinner?”
    â€œNo. I’ve got instant noodles in the cupboard.”
    â€œNoodles. Great. Call if you need anything else. Good night.”
    â€œGood night.”
    She stopped at the edge of the room. “Mr. Kier?”
    â€œYes?”
    â€œI know your first visit didn’t exactly go the way you hoped. But I’m proud of you anyway.”
    He looked at her. “At least someone is.”
    â€œI’ll see you tomorrow.”
    She let herself out. Kier held the icepack closely to his nose. Why didn’t you call me, Jimmy?

CHAPTER
Twenty-two

Lincoln walked past Kier as he meandered through the steak house, looking for him. Kier called out, “Hey, lawyer.”
    Lincoln looked directly at Kier but still didn’t recognize him, which was not surprising, since Kier wore a Yankees cap and sunglasses perched gingerly above his bandaged nose.
    â€œYou’re late.”
    He looked at Kier quizzically. “Excuse me?”
    â€œLincoln, it’s me, Kier.”
    Lincoln stared at him. “Good heavens, man. What happened to you?”
    â€œAccident.”
    â€œWhat kind of accident?”
    â€œAn accidental accident. Quit gawking. You look like a trout.”
    Lincoln sat down, still staring at him.
    â€œSo what’s the difference between a lawyer and a bucket of pond scum?” Kier asked.
    â€œWhat happened to you?”
    â€œYou have to answer first.”
    â€œThe bucket.”
    Kier frowned. “Try this one. You’re stranded on an island with Hitler, a lawyer, and Attila the Hun. You have a gun with only two bullets, what do you do?”
    â€œShoot the lawyer twice. Enough, already. What did you do? What happened?”
    â€œI knew it would happen someday,” Kier said seriously.
    â€œYou knew this would happen?”
    â€œI knew I’d run out of jokes.”
    Lincoln drew forward. “Kier, give me a straight answer. What are you up to?”
    â€œWhat makes you think I’m up to something?”
    â€œYou mean besides the fact that you look like Mike Tyson’s sparring partner? I’ve known you a long time, Kier. I can hear the cogs turn in that head of yours.”
    â€œAll right, I’ll tell you. Just don’t freak out on me.” He leaned back. “I had Linda compile a list of people I’ve hurt. I’m going to see them all before Christmas.”
    â€œIs that what happened? You went to see one of them?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œMan, have you lost your mind?”
    â€œNo, I want to make things right.”
    â€œAs your lawyer, I strenuously advise against this.”
    Kier lifted his glass. “Strenuously? That sounds serious.”
    â€œJust look in the mirror, man. You never apologize after a car accident; it creates an expectation of guilt. What if these people decide to sue you? Or worse.”
    â€œWhat’s worse?”
    â€œBreak your face.”
    â€œCould happen,” Kier said.
    Lincoln shook his head. “You have lost it. You’ve finally lost it.”
    â€œI’ve lost worse,” Kier said. “So, as a human being as opposed to a lawyer, what do you think of what I’m doing?”
    â€œI think you’re out of your freaking mind.”
    â€œNo really, Lincoln, don’t hold back.”
    â€œListen, Jim, I know what you’re doing. You read all those comments about you on the Internet and you’ve had a sudden flare-up of conscience. Am I right?”
    â€œMaybe.”
    â€œI know I’m right. The same thing happened to me when Pam left me. But you know what I did?”
    â€œGot drunk for a week?”
    â€œWell, after that. I did nothing.