Page 56 of Free Heart
I have to say I’m not a fan of how cute they are together, mainly because the more in love they are, the more I think I’mnever gonna get Rye back as my climbing partner. But I guess it’s good they’re happy. They’ve both been needing someone good in their lives for a long time.
“Little Jeanie,” I answer, letting her bound onto the sofa next to me since she chooses the opposite side from my wounded leg. I wrap one arm around her as she hugs me.
I happen to know that song is where her name came from. Rye confided it to me once during a climb, saying that most folks assume Jeanie is named for a grandparent or something, but she’s not. She’s named after the Elton John song because it was his and his ex’s first dance at their wedding. “It was a retro choice back then too,” Rye had confessed. “But Andrew and I were into the whole ‘retro aesthetic’ at the time.” Whatever that means. So, I use it sometimes when addressing Jeanie, and it’s our thing now since I’m the only one who calls her that.
“Sejin got thrown up on at school,” she announces, taking my cheeks in her hands and gazing into my eyes solemnly.
“Again?” I ask, dread pooling in my stomach at the thought of what Sejin might do to his hair this time—until I remember he didn’t go to Tater Tots this morning, so she must be talking about when it happened before.
“Byron did it. He threw up on Sejin, and then Sejin threw up on the floor.” Her breath comes faster. She’s obviously excited by this story. “So gross, Dan.”
“I heard about that,” I reply.
“And Sejin cut his hair,” she informs me.
“I know.”
“Sejin lives with Dan, honey, remember?” Rye says, taking hold of Lowell’s hand and cuddling up to him. The size difference is something to behold, and Rye fits against Lowell’s body almost like a doll.
“Where is he then?” Jeanie demands, like Rye is lying.
“Probably at work.”
“Papa Bear?”
I shake my head. “He worked with his cousin today doing plumbing.”
“What’s plumbing?” she asks.
“Fixing toilets, faucets, sinks.”
She tilts her head, fascinated. “Sejin fixes toilets?”
“It’s a job,” I say.
“Huh.” She ponders this. “Mommy, can I have a snack now?” She climbs down from the sofa and goes into the kitchen.
“Remember, Jeanie, I’d like you to call me Papa.”
Jeanie peeks back around from where the counter has blocked her from view and considers Rye for a second. “Okay, Papa. I forgot.”
“It’s not a big deal. We can keep working on it.”
Jeanie turns back to the kitchen, and she exclaims, “Oh! It’s my card!”
I see the refrigerator door open, though I can’t see her head over the counter between us.
“Oh, Lord,” Rye says, moving away from Lowell and heading toward the kitchen. “Jeanie, we don’t open other people’s refrigerators or cabinets. It’s rude.”
“She can have microwave popcorn if she wants,” I say, motioning toward the correct cupboard, though it takes Rye three tries to open the right one.
“Look, Papa. It’s the card I made for Dan. Do you like it, Dan?” Jeanie calls out.
“I love it.”
Rye stands in front of the fridge door, hands on hips, gazing at the glittery card. “‘Help,’” he reads aloud and snorts.
“Yep. But I won’t need any help next time. I’ll either make it or die.”
