Page 27 of Not Even A Mouse
I’m terrible. Falling apart without you. I want you back, want us back.
He shrugged and swallowed. “Gettin’ by.” He glanced down to see Talya had one of Myron’s hands trapped in hers, holding him close. “She’s okay. Wanted to see the lights.”
“I missed you.” Fora long moment, he wasn’t certain who had spoken until he saw the light dying in Myron’s eyes and realized he waswaiting onan answer that Andy hadn’t given.
God. “I miss you so much.” Hope swirled inside him.
“Talya.”
A little girl’s cry had his daughter’s head lifting. Then she was shouting and wriggling to get down, Myron’s coat hanging lopsided from one shoulder. “Gilda!” Myron rescuedhis jacket as Talya’s feet hit the pavement and she darted through the adults, meeting another little girl with an enthusiastic hug. “Papa, look it’s Gilda.”
Another biker stooped next to the two girls, grinning broadly. “You must be the Talya Gilda keeps wanting to adopt. She said you’re the best imaginer in class. Jumped ahead a grade, right?” Talya nodded, still swinging her friend back andforth. The biker stood and looked at Andy, then did a doubletake. “Mouse, how are ya, man?” It was Captain, one of the bikers who had stood sentry for Bexley. They’d had dozens of interesting conversations. The man was a retired professionalathlete,and had turned that passion for his sport into a way to give back to the community, running a program for underprivileged youth. Andy had lookedit up, and convinced the bar owners to donate to it this Christmas.It’s been in front of me all along.
“I’m fine. Hey, it’s good to see you.” Captain’s vigorous handshake pushed him to theside,and Andy bumped into Myron. Five circles of heat hit his back, and he realized Myron had steadied him. Every atom of his being wanted to lean into that pressure, but he held himself upright. “Gilda’syour daughter?” Continued pressure on his spine told him Myron hadn’t moved away, hadn’t dropped his hand, and while Andy knew what he wanted to make of that fact, he still wasn’t certain what it meant.
“Yeah, one of ‘em. I have—” Captain’s mouth quirked. “—a few.” He looked at Myron. “How’re your decorations coming, brother? That new house is too big for one guy. I think,” he winked at Andy,“you need a little girl or two to fill that space.” Captain rocked back on his heels following that startling pronouncement and shook his head. “But, just not tonight.” Gilda and Talya were dancing in circles between the men, chins tipped up as they sang a Christmas song Talya had learned in the car tonight. “I think tonight Talya needs to come watch a movie with my girls.”
“Papa, may I?”
IgnoringTalya’s pleading eyes, Andy turned to Myron. “You bought a house?” Myron nodded, his expression cautious. “In Fort Wayne?” Another nod. “Where? Why?”
Myron took a breath, then murmured softly, “Up off Bethel.”
Andy gawked. “That’s near Talya’s school. Near me.” He licked hislips,and Myron’s gaze fell to his mouth, staying there as he nodded a third time. “Why?”
“I wanted—”
“Papa, I wantto go to Gilda’s. Her momma says it’s okay. Can I?” Talya pushed between them, staring up. “Please? Papa? Unka Myron? Can I?”
Andy looked up from Talya’s face when he felt Myron’s fingers spasm at his waist. He was still staring down at Talya, his mouth soft, a look of surprise on his features.Probably didn’t expect her to enlist him in her pleas. Andy knew what he had to do, knew he had tobe the one to move them back to where they needed to be. “Hey.” He kept his voice soft, waiting for Myron to look up. “I wanna see that house. If she goes for a movie, you can take me there.” He grinned, and Myron looked at his mouth again. “You know, give me a tour. Show me around. I think I’d like that.”
“I’d like that, too.”
