Page 103 of The Manny

No. It wasn’t my problem, but I wanted peace between Jack and me. It was my hope that eventually he’d thaw toward me and we could at least be friends. It wasn’t just the sex that I missed. We’d laughed a lot together, and had great conversations. But once he’d decided we wouldn’t sleep together anymore, all of that had disappeared as well.

It’s no trouble. I need to pick up some things from the grocery store for dinner, so I’ll already be out.

Thank you, Thomas.

I hated how my pulse skipped at him simply typing my name. I was pathetic. Desperate for any kind of personal connection he’d give me.

What file am I looking for exactly?I asked.

It’s a manila folder with a blue sticker on the front. It should be on top of my desk.

I’ll find it. See you in a bit.

Thanks again.

I closed my eyes and let the sun warm my face. The sound of honey bees buzzing nearby and a lawnmower in the distance was lulling. I’d been sleeping horribly. It would have been nice to take a nap, but I had to keep watch over Mia.

Opening my eyes, I observed her dillydallying around the yard. She was good at amusing herself. She didn’t need a playmate to have fun. Judging by how independent she was, she’d obviously been left on her own a lot of the time. Something told me Mrs. Gable hadn’t been a very attentive, or loving, caretaker.

After an hour of outside play, I brought Mia inside and we had lunch. As she chatted happily about how much she loved ladybugs and hated worms, it was hard not to smile. She was so different from how she’d been when she’d first arrived. She was happier. Brighter.

She didn’t quake in her boots at the sight of Jack anymore either. She seemed to like him now, and amazingly enough, he seemed fond of her too. I’d been relieved when he’d abandoned his plan of keeping her at arm’s length. Apparently the reality of seeing Mia in the flesh had broken down his walls. Thank goodness.

While Mia finished her lunch, I went into Jack’s office to find the folder he needed. The study was dark and cool, and it smelled of his cologne. I moved to his desk, noticing how ridiculously neat it was. There wasn’t a paperclip out of place. His rigid neatness was an indicator of how desperately he wanted to control things. He didn’t seem to comprehend that was a fool’s game. We could do certain things to direct our path, but life would always be full of storms that changed our trajectory.

I found the file he needed sitting on top of the desk. As I grabbed it, a bright pink slip of paper lying at the base of the monitor caught my eye. I let my nosiness get the best of me and I read it.

Sorry I’ve been MIA lately. I know if I come around it will be awkward. I fucked up. I’m as surprised as you that it happened. Let’s grab drinks soon, Scott.

My stomach dropped as I read the message two more times. I vaguely recalled Jack mentioning a rich customer of his named Scott, who collected cars. Was this the same guy? There were probably plenty of Scotts in the world. What exactly had happened between them? Something that might make things “awkward” now. Had they slept together? Fooled around a little? I doubted the note was referring to anything as mundane as bouncing a check. It felt too personal.

I scowled at the pink note, my stomach churning. Obviously, I had no claim over Jack. Still, it was hard not to feel frustrated at how he’d ended things. I suppose on the one hand it was flattering he couldn’t sleep with me, or interact with me, and remain detached. But I didn’t feel flattered, I felt frustrated. I wanted more of him.

Grunting, I decided I’d spent enough time worrying about Jack, and instead spent the next few hours working on ABCs with Mia. She was very bright and I was positive she’d have her numbers and letters mastered by the time she started school next year. I was even going to try and get her reading, if I could do it without stressing her out too much.

Once I finished up with Mia, it was time to go shopping. That meant it was also time to drop that file off to Jack at his shop. I couldn’t deny I felt butterflies in my gut at the thought.

When I arrived at Jack’s work, Brody was manning the front desk. “Hey, Thomas. How’re you?” he asked, looking up from the monitor he’d been gazing at. There was stubble on his jaw and he seemed a touch subdued. Usually, Brody bristled with energy, but today he appeared under the weather.

“Great. How are you?” I stopped in front of the counter.

He avoided my gaze. “Oh, you know, just plugging along.”

Yeah, something is definitely eating at him.

“Is Jack around?”

“He’s in his office.” Brody smiled down at Mia, who was beside me, holding my hand. “Hey, Mia.”

She smiled shyly. “Hello.”

“Are you even taller than the last time I saw you?” Brody asked, widening his eyes.

“I don’t think so.” Mia looked down at her feet. “I’m just normal size.”

“I swear you look taller.” Brody winked at me.

“I take my vitamins every day. Thomas makes sure I don’t forget.”

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