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“It’s fine. I can play with him for a bit while you finish with your groceries,” I tell her, smiling at Mikey and ruffling his hair.
“Really? You don’t mind?”
“Of course not. Me and Mikey are friends now. Right, Mikey?”
“Yeah!” he squeals.
He wriggles until Ellen puts him down, and then he taps my leg and runs away.
“Tag, you it!”
I run around the yard with him for a bit, giving him the upper hand in the game. He’s such a happy little boy. Too bad about his father. He pretends to shoot me with his fingers and then yells, “Yeehaw!” I guess we’re playing cowboys and Indians now.
“Hey, guys. Water break?”
He runs to his mom and takes his sippy cup, while I accept the bottle she offers me.
“Thanks, Raven. You’re really good with him.”
“It’s no problem. He’s such a cutie. How old is he?”
“Three. He looks just like his father. Say, do you babysit?”
Babysit? Another job? Hell yeah. It will only get me to my goal quicker. The raise and additional hours Millie gave me are great but when it comes to money, the more the merrier. I’ll be set once my inheritance is signed over, but that might take some time. I need to be ready to move in time for my birthday.
“Sure. I have a day job but I’m available any time after six, Friday to Wednesday, and I’m off on Thursdays.”
“Great! Come on in and let me get your information.”
While we’re talking, Mikey keeps pulling on my hand, wanting to show me his toys. Ellen asks me to indulge him before I leave, so I let him lead me to the living room. I sit cross-legged on the carpet playing with him and before I know it, it’s dark outside.
“I should go.”
“You’re right. Come on, I’ll take you home.”
“I’m fine. I just live a few houses away.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
I turn to Mikey to say goodbye, but he jumps to his feet excitedly.
“Unca!”
He runs past me and I turn around to see where he’s off to. I freeze in my tracks. Gage swings Mikey into his arms, flashing his perfect teeth.
“Hey there, little guy.”
“Raven, this is my brother, Gage.”
I can’t look at him. This babysitting job suddenly doesn’t look so appealing. Now I know why she seemed familiar. Those darn blue eyes.
“We’ve met.”
He doesn’t say anything, ignoring me once again.
“Unca, me and Waben play!”
