Page 56 of Next in Line
Me: It’s not just you.
Sparky: I keep thinking about this weekend.
Me: Me too.
Sparky: And I’m not thinking about the snowboarding.
The smile on my face is embarrassing.
Me: What are you thinking about? Specifically.
Sparky: About how you had to help me off the toilet because my legs felt like Jell-O.
Me: God, that was really hot.
Sparky: I know, right?
Me: What else are you thinking about?
Sparky: Are you trying to get me to sext with you right now?
Me: Sparky, I’m a gentleman. I would never do that. What are you wearing?
Sparky: That’s a sext! You’re at work right now, pervy old man.
Me: It’s not a sext. It’s for science.
Sparky: What kind of science?
Me: I’m trying to determine if I’m psychic or not. See, I think you’re wearing that hot pink bra you had on under that snowsuit the first time we met. And I think that’s all you’re wearing.
Sparky: You’re so wrong, it’s comical.
Me: If you tell me you’re wearing granny panties, I’ll still be turned on.
Sparky: OMG, you should be embarrassed.
Me: Yet…I’m not.
There’s a short pause.
Sparky: What are you wearing?
Me: There’s my spark plug from the weekend.
Sparky: I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours.?
“Sammy, can you come in here please?” Uncle Terry hollers from the back office so loudly my heart jumps into my throat.
I send a quick ‘got to go’ text to Maggie and make my way into his office, feeling like a kid who just got his hand caught in the cookie jar.
When I step in through the door, I look around and see that the office looks completely different from how it looked this morning. “Where’s all your stuff?” I ask, glancing around at all the empty walls that were completely covered last week.
“Have a seat,” he says, gesturing to one of the chairs in front of him.
Even though I do as he asks, I’m frowning the entire time. I presented him my proposal two days ago, and he’s been quiet around me ever since. But Uncle Terry has always been a man of few words. Sometimes, it’s hard to believe he’s my dad’s brother because they are two completely different guys. Where my dad was unreliable and impulsive, Terry is steadfast and responsible. He may be a little quiet and closed off, but he’s always there for me when I need him.
“Sammy, I’m heading out today.” Terry sits back in his chair and folds his fingers over his belly.
