Page 84 of The Opposite of Romance
LOGAN
Sadie comes backwith the kids and I’m on cloud nine. Asher keeps me company while Liv changes into her work clothes.
He’s talking about a cartoon he watched yesterday, fully immersed in the story. With the sound and motion effects, it’s hard to follow the story, but his enthusiasm is infectious.
He’s not done with the story, but as soon as Liv runs up to us, he sighs, saying, “I’ll let you two get to work.”
I barely contain my laughter as Liv rolls her eyes. She has been a godsend on my stalling mission. I would look like an incompetent fool for the last few weeks if I hadn’t had the opportunity to teach her. We haven’t focused on the deck much, but I’m hoping she’ll be able to change a lightbulb, put up some family pictures, maybe even screw some 2x4s together. Currently, we’re working on building the bench around the fire pit. We’re also building a special surprise for her and her mom, which was Liv’s idea.
Even though she’s as focused as always, Liv seems like her heart’s not fully in it today. I give her some space while we work like a trained duo, her passing me the needed materials and me putting them together. But a half an hour later, she’s still not talking, and I don’t like to see her sad.
“You know, I had a terrible day a few weeks ago,” I start. “I was feeling low, but as soon as I got to working, I felt better. There’s something about sanding wood that relaxes me.” Yeah, we’ve also been sanding, though there’s absolutely no need to sand these pieces. “Does that happen to you sometimes?”
She’s pensive for a second. “I guess. It helps me not think about school for a second.”
“What happened at school?” I blurt out, my heart in my throat. I fear what she’ll say to me. And I fear what I’ll do if she tells me someone hurt her.
She sighs. “We’re doing a recital to mark the end of the school year. I’m part of the story section, along with a few other girls from my class. They’ll all be wearing pink.”
I wince, knowing how she feels about pink.
“I wanted us to wear a different color, but the rest of them voted pink.” She rolls her eyes.
“Do you have to wear the same color?” I ask, keeping myself busy so she doesn’t feel uncomfortable.
“My dad says I have to. He doesn’t understand why I don’t want to. But I don’t. It’s not me.”
“What color would you pick to wear?”
“Black,” she responds straight away, with a gleam in her eyes.
I shoot her a smile. “I might have an idea. How about you wear black tights,” her eyebrows raise, “with a pink top or dress?” Her mouth falls.
“That way, you’ll fit right in with them. But you’ll still be you. And even if others don’t notice it, you’ll know it.” I bump her shoulder with my elbow. “Like an undercover spy.”
Her face lights up, her eyes widening.
“You can also tell your mom, and you two can be the only two people who are in on the secret,” I continue, like I’m sharing a secret plan.
“You will know, too.” She bounces on her toes.
“Yeah,” I chuckle. “I will. And I’ll be thinking of you wherever I am.”
She stops bouncing, her face furrowing. “No. You should be there, too.”
“Umm, I don’t know. It’s kind of a family thing, I don’t think I’m invited.”
“But I’m inviting you. I want you to be there. I’ll feel much better.” She nods her head, like it’s decided.
I scratch the back of my neck, unsure what to do. “Ok, I guess.”
“Promise me you’ll come.” She stares at me with wide, honest eyes.
“I’ll be there. I promise.”
She squeals with delight, a sound I never heard her make. The corners of my mouth lift, even though I’m sure Sadie will hate the idea of me joining them at her daughter’s recital. But I couldn’t say no to her.
The rest of the week is pretty much the same. I arrive in the morning, have jaw-dropping sex with Sadie, we eat some lunch, I pretend to do some work, listen to Asher’s crazy stories, and do some more work with Liv when they arrive from school.
