Page 31 of The Family Man

“You sound so narcissistic.” I have already started to creep up the sides of my bed.

“No, I’m not. Come to the window. I dare you.”

He dared me. Who am I to ignore that? I stand up, throw my shoulders back, and walk to my window.

He is not there. I hear a sultry laugh over the phone. “Now I know.”

“Know what?” I ask. Where the hell was he?

“I know how much of a freak you are,” he utters.

I swallow. I have never been called a freak before.

Vanilla, yes. Boring at times. Freak no. I like being thought of as freaky.

“Now you know. Think about it. Have a good night, Zac.” I hang up the phone and slide into bed feeling even more confident.

* * *

SAGE

Last Sunday, I messed up. Rosemary didn’t get to go to church. Today we are doing this. I hear her car pull up, and as I step out the door, Anise rushes out the car and runs into my half bath downstairs.

Cassia follows and Rosemary walks in after them.

“Are we not doing church?” I ask, feeling bewildered as they walk into the kitchen.

“Yeah, we are. She ate some corn dog chili crap, and it’s giving it to her this morning.” Cassia opens my fridge and takes out a bottled water.

“She sounds like she is hurling.” Both Rosemary and I get up to walk to the door.

Cassia puts her hand out. “I got this. Make some ginger tea. She will need it”

I watch at Rosemary, and we both frown. Something is up.

“How was your date?” Cassia asks as she changes the subject.

I should tell them, but I want to keep it to myself just a little bit more.

“It was good.” I take down the cups from the cabinet.

“Good?” Rosey asks. “Good as in I wanna do it again? Or good as in it was nice? On to the next one?” Anise asks as she comes out of the restroom patting her face with a wet towel.

“Are you okay?” Rosemary asks.

Anise nods; she appears pale, and tired. Like she didn’t sleep.

“I had five chili dogs and I’m paying for it. Are we still going?” She turns to Rosemary.

Before she can ask Rosemary sighs, “I’m not in the mood any way. Lord, forgive me.”

We all let go a sigh of relief. Cassia peeps out of my kitchen window.

“How do tulips react to the chemical composition of urine?” Cassia folds her lips to hold her laugh in.

“What?” we all ask.

“There is a kid peeing on your tulips, and he is using his little pecker like a watering hose.” Cassia shakes her head and chuckles.

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