a fit of giggles every time he was
near. That would be embarrassing.
“Hey guys, I gotta go. That hot new sophomore
Rick just came in,” Becca announced grabbing her tray and heading
over to him. “You don’t mind do you?” She called back to us; not
even bothering to turn around.
“Isn’t that called cradle robbing,” I called
after her.
When I turned around I expected to see Tina
laughing or smiling, or something like that. But she seemed to be
off in her own little world, the lunch that her mom prepared for
her sitting uneaten. She seemed more intent on pleating her napkin
in so many ways it was almost an art form. “Spill,” I
demanded.
She pursed her lips for a moment then sighed
and caved in. “I’m worried about my mom.”
“Why, what’s wrong with Tracy?” I asked
suddenly concerned.
“Her arthritis is really acting up. I
don’t know how much longer it would be good for her to keep working
as a housekeeper.” She paused for a moment like she needed to gird
herself for whatever she was going to say next. “Maybe I should
just go straight to work instead of going to college so I can help
her out and she could cut back her hours.”
My jaw dropped. “Say what! Don’t you dare,
Tracy would never forgive you. She’s worked so hard just to be able
to send you to college. Hell, I would never forgive you either. You
just need to build up her confidence. She can find another job. I’m
sure there are plenty of desk jobs she can do and probably make the
same amount of money.”
Tina smiled and nodded, already that great
brain was turning over possibilities. Crisis averted. Deciding
a change in topic was necessary, I showed Tina my pictures of Cody
and she made me promise to let her come by later in the week to see
him. When the bell finally rang in sixth period, I could
barely conceal my eagerness to get out to my bike. Michelle watched
me, amused as I scurried out.
I felt bad as I caught a glimpse of Jim’s
face as he held the door for me, sad but resigned. Every time
I saw him I felt guilty. I needed to set him up with someone. It
didn’t seem like there was any attraction between him and Michelle,
so that hookup wasn’t going to work. Suddenly I had an inspired
thought. Maybe Tina would be a good match for him. The more I
thought about it the more sure I was. Both of them were family
orientated, hard working, and brilliant. His goal of going into
politics would mesh well with Tina’s career as a doctor. I would
have to cook up some kind of scheme to introduce them without it
feeling like a blind date. This evening I would put some thought
into it.
Christian was already waiting in his car next
to my bike, revving his engine like he was going to race me,
looking at me devilishly. I flashed him a quick smile. I wish--but
we did live in Steilacoom so that was out. I also didn’t want to
abuse his male pride because there was no chance of him
winning. When we pulled up to my house and parked, he got out
looking bemused.
I walked up to him wondering what he was
thinking. “What?”
“I just expected something different,” he
replied, looking at me like I was some conundrum that he hadn’t
figured out yet.
I shrugged. I did love this cottage in this
sweet little town. “I suppose you think I should be in some up-town
artist loft, maybe living in New York or something?”
His lips quirked up, “Something like
that.”
Entering the house and quickly closing the
door behind us, I put my school bag down and started searching for
Cody. While calling his name I looked under the couch, behind the
book shelf and in the laundry room. Finally I looked in my bedroom
and of course there he was, perfectly content, sleeping on my
daybed. It looked like he had shredded a good bit of my comforter
to get up there. Motioning for Christian to follow me, I
tip-toed over and gently sat next to Cody. I watched Christian as
his eyes went gentle and he softly brushed his hand along
near. That would be embarrassing.
“Hey guys, I gotta go. That hot new sophomore
Rick just came in,” Becca announced grabbing her tray and heading
over to him. “You don’t mind do you?” She called back to us; not
even bothering to turn around.
“Isn’t that called cradle robbing,” I called
after her.
When I turned around I expected to see Tina
laughing or smiling, or something like that. But she seemed to be
off in her own little world, the lunch that her mom prepared for
her sitting uneaten. She seemed more intent on pleating her napkin
in so many ways it was almost an art form. “Spill,” I
demanded.
She pursed her lips for a moment then sighed
and caved in. “I’m worried about my mom.”
“Why, what’s wrong with Tracy?” I asked
suddenly concerned.
“Her arthritis is really acting up. I
don’t know how much longer it would be good for her to keep working
as a housekeeper.” She paused for a moment like she needed to gird
herself for whatever she was going to say next. “Maybe I should
just go straight to work instead of going to college so I can help
her out and she could cut back her hours.”
My jaw dropped. “Say what! Don’t you dare,
Tracy would never forgive you. She’s worked so hard just to be able
to send you to college. Hell, I would never forgive you either. You
just need to build up her confidence. She can find another job. I’m
sure there are plenty of desk jobs she can do and probably make the
same amount of money.”
Tina smiled and nodded, already that great
brain was turning over possibilities. Crisis averted. Deciding
a change in topic was necessary, I showed Tina my pictures of Cody
and she made me promise to let her come by later in the week to see
him. When the bell finally rang in sixth period, I could
barely conceal my eagerness to get out to my bike. Michelle watched
me, amused as I scurried out.
I felt bad as I caught a glimpse of Jim’s
face as he held the door for me, sad but resigned. Every time
I saw him I felt guilty. I needed to set him up with someone. It
didn’t seem like there was any attraction between him and Michelle,
so that hookup wasn’t going to work. Suddenly I had an inspired
thought. Maybe Tina would be a good match for him. The more I
thought about it the more sure I was. Both of them were family
orientated, hard working, and brilliant. His goal of going into
politics would mesh well with Tina’s career as a doctor. I would
have to cook up some kind of scheme to introduce them without it
feeling like a blind date. This evening I would put some thought
into it.
Christian was already waiting in his car next
to my bike, revving his engine like he was going to race me,
looking at me devilishly. I flashed him a quick smile. I wish--but
we did live in Steilacoom so that was out. I also didn’t want to
abuse his male pride because there was no chance of him
winning. When we pulled up to my house and parked, he got out
looking bemused.
I walked up to him wondering what he was
thinking. “What?”
“I just expected something different,” he
replied, looking at me like I was some conundrum that he hadn’t
figured out yet.
I shrugged. I did love this cottage in this
sweet little town. “I suppose you think I should be in some up-town
artist loft, maybe living in New York or something?”
His lips quirked up, “Something like
that.”
Entering the house and quickly closing the
door behind us, I put my school bag down and started searching for
Cody. While calling his name I looked under the couch, behind the
book shelf and in the laundry room. Finally I looked in my bedroom
and of course there he was, perfectly content, sleeping on my
daybed. It looked like he had shredded a good bit of my comforter
to get up there. Motioning for Christian to follow me, I
tip-toed over and gently sat next to Cody. I watched Christian as
his eyes went gentle and he softly brushed his hand along
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