Page 40 of Afternoon Delight
“And the prescription is handcuffs?”
That pithy tone was everything that annoyed me about her. It was the tone that had assured me you can get pregnant your first time. The tone that said, I know better, Meg. The tone that always made me want to prove her wrong, even if it meant overturning my life in the process.
“Maybe it’s not for you,” I acknowledged. “Maybe you’re not feeling sexy, what with losing Dad and everything. That’s completely okay. But isn’t it nice to know that someone your age can still get horny? And that if you ever feel differently, Georgia has this store you can come to?”
“I do think you’re doing a good turn by Georgia.” She shook out a pair of Daisy Duke shorts. “I can see she worked very hard to create something that serves a purpose. I’m glad she won’t lose everything while she’s getting her surgery.”
“Thank you.” I started again toward the stockroom. Paused again. “I’m just going to say this so it’s been said: if you ever do think about dating, don’t worry about how I might react. I’m fine with it.”
“I’m not thinking about dating. I wouldn’t even know where to start! Ask your son to set me up on one of those dating apps?” She knotted the bottom of a white tank top, her gaze sliding over to me with more interest than she probably meant to reveal. “Are you on any of those things?”
“I’ve thought about it.” Zak was ever-present in my mind. “But I don’t see the point in dating here if I live in Toronto. I could make profiles for us if you want to try it, though.”
“That’s silly talk.”
I shrugged. “The alternative is to buy a toy and fly solo. Barbara would never know.”
“You would. So thank you, but no.”
“Your birthday is coming up. I could surprise you.”
“For God’s sake, Margaret. Drop it.”
I did. For now.
Chapter 22
Zak
I heard the bell over the door jangle and stopped sanding to listen.
Dad had launched into his magician routine with someone, so I gave my hands a quick wash and went out to find Roddie looking confused by the punchline.
“Layaway is how people used to buy things in olden times,” I explained. “Like a loan, but you had to pay it off before you took your purchase home.”
“Oh. I get it now. That’s pretty funny,” he told Dale.
“Dad, this is Roddie.” I reminded him that they’d met before and told him where, then mentioned Meg next door.
“Not Debra. The toy store,” Dad said, chuckling and scratching the back of his head. He turned to Roddie. “I thought she was selling toys for kids.”
“You think you’re embarrassed,” Roddie muttered out of the side of his mouth.
“Are you?” I asked.
“Nah. I think it’s funny.”
Better, I supposed. “Did your mom send you over for something?”
“No, I had a spare. I’m on my way to the coffee shop to do my homework.” He hitched his backpack higher on his shoulder.
“Do you need a school desk? We have two in the office. The twins used them, but they’re at college now. We could let one go,” Dad offered.
“Oh. I just came in to look around. I was curious,” Roddie said. “Do you mind?”
“No, no. Stay as long as you like.” Dad gave a grand wave. “If you don’t see anything today, come back tomorrow. Tammy’s always bringing in something new. Did you say you’re looking for something for your mother? Let me show you the vase she found last week. Now, where did I put it…” He wandered off.
“I need to put my stuff away in the workroom,” I told Roddie. I’d learned my lesson on that. “I’ll be back in a sec.”
