Page 25 of Child of Mine

“The weather is an integral part of people’s lives, man. Don’t dump on the weather.”

“You’re right. What else would people have to talk about at boring dinner parties?”

“I notice you didn’t answer my question.”

“I haven’t seen any kids yet, if that helps. And I’ve been on my best behavior.”

“Pushy, impatient, stirring things up?”

“Pretty much.” Hopping up and stretching the phone cord to its limit, I close the door to my office. No need to fuel gossip over something that was over before it started. “There was a potential hiccup my first day here, but that seems to have resolved itself.”

“Hiccup? Is that code for they almost fired you? No worries, man. They’re missing your hard-hitting ways around here already. I hear the girl they got in to replace you has no idea what to do in the editing suite. And the camera guys just ignore her.”

“Poor thing. You tell Barney I’ll tell everybody he uses hazelnut creamer if he’s not nicer to her.”

“It’s Barney that uses up the good stuff? No way.”

“Way.” I nod, suddenly homesick for the crew I thought I was so sick of.

“So, what’d you do? Piss off the gaffer?”

Scrubbing a hand over my face, I tell myself that maybe Ralph will have a perspective on this I haven’t thought of. “Nah, it was more personal. Did I ever tell you that I had a one-night thing in New York? With a childhood crush?”

“Like someone you went to elementary school with?”

“Nah, I worked my way through those in high school once I grew and put on some muscle.”

“So modest.”

“Just being honest.”

“Who was the chick, and what does this have to do with your job?”

By the familiar creak of his office chair, I know he’s leaning back and putting his feet on his desk to settle in for a chat, so I do the same. “Did you watchBoomgrowing up?”

“Sure, didn’t everybody? I mean, what else was there to watch while you waited for your mom to burn dinner?”

“Remember Izzy?”

“The blond who did a back walkover? With the long pigtails and longer legs?”

“Her.”

“Aww. You like her.”

“I’m not fourteen, Ralph.”

“So, what was the problem? You couldn’t get it up?”

“That may be your problem, but never mine.”

“Methinks the man may protest too much.”

“The problem was,” I continue, ignoring him, “we had an amazing few hours together—right before I found out my dad was in the hospital. I left town without letting her know.”

“That’s on you, but it was a long time ago. Plus, she’s a little old to be onBoom, right?”

“She’s an assistant producer on the newBoom.And you wouldn’t believe the look on her face when she saw me.”

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