Page 41 of Vince
“Sounds like a lot busier morning than mine,” I admit. “I almost feel lazy. I just got up and worked on my paper that’s due next week.”
“I typically do homework between classes or after Jules is asleep for the night. She’s an amazing kid, but if it’s just the two of us, she’s my sidekick. Thankfully, she loves to do her ‘schoolwork’ which consists of coloring or working on a workbook when Van or I are forced to study during the day to fit it all in.” The way he used air quotes around her schoolwork tells me there’s more to this story.
“She sounds adorable. I can just picture her trying to work by your side.”
“Yep. She insists I bring my work to the kitchen table where we can do our work together if her mom picks up an evening shift or something. Vanessa typically has a few breaks during the day, so she completes her work on campus somehow.”
“Being a single parent must be hard,” I assume.
Knowing my mom was a single parent and the struggles she went through with me, I can’t imagine trying to go to college with a kid in tow. I’m in awe of Vanessa for all she’s doing.
“It’s not easy, that’s for sure,” Vince admits as he holds out two sandwiches. Lifting his right hand, he says, “Roast beef or turkey? They each have tomatoes, cheese, and I brought some mayo in a small container if you want to add that. We were out of lettuce.” He ends with a shrug. “Sorry.”
“You won’t hear me complain,” I interject as my stomach rumbles quietly in appreciation of his thoughtfulness. I swear he’s thought of everything. “I haven’t had a turkey sandwich in forever. I’ll take that.”
“Good. Eat up. I don’t want you starving to death. Have you eaten today?”
Well,apparently, it wasn’t that quiet.
How embarrassing.
Trying to play it off, I scoff, “Yes. But it’s been a few hours. I promise not to eat your arm off as you hand it to me,” I say, reaching for the sandwich.
“You’re cute when you’re embarrassed,” comes out as an assessment rather than an accusation. I shake my head because he never wants to see me hangry. I won’t be cute at all. Grams used to make sure I ate in regular intervals, so I wouldn’tbite the hand that feeds me, as she reminded me often.Apparently, me being hangry was the worst temperament she’d ever seen.
God, I miss her.
Vince picks up on my mood change. Suddenly, his carefree face fills with worry. “Did I say something to offend you?”
Sighing, I reply, “No… I was just thinking about Grams… and how she used to warn me about getting hangry. She used to tease me about it all the time, claiming I’d bite her hands off if I weren’t fed fast enough. She swore up and down I was the worst when my hanger struck. She even kept snacks in the glove compartment and in her purse if we were going out for a while.”
Vince’s eyebrows shoot to his hairline as he draws out, “O… kay… I’ll keep that in mind. I’d rather not experiencethattype of hanger…”
Swatting at his arm playfully, I shake my head in complete denial. “That was when I was just a little older than Julia. I’ll have you know I’m a lot more controlled with my hanger issues now.”
“I don’t know… I’ve seen your feistiness in action the night we met at the bar…” he reminds me, though his tone is light and harmless. He’s right. He did see me put his friend in his place—and for some reason, he still comes around.
“I told you, I don’t take shit from dipshits who think I have nothing better to do than go home with them at the end of my shift,” I defend more than my intent.
“I get it. I wouldn’t want people hitting on me either like Derek. But seriously, I don’t think he meant any harm by it—but let’s face it, if you hadn’t turned him down, we wouldn’t be here today.”
Well… damn… he has a point.
Before I can respond, Vince continues, “I guess I can be thankful he took that chance to talk to you…”
Confused, I ask, “Why is that?”
“If he hadn’t pissed you off so much, I seriously doubt you would’ve carded us. Therefore, you wouldn’t have taken the time to notice me.”
Oh, I would’ve noticed him—eventually.
But I keep that thought to myself.
Instead, I just scoff defensively.
“Oh… come on, Syd. You already knew we’d been carded at the door.”
We stare at one another for a long moment as he waits for me to admit what he already knows.
