Page 45 of Napkins and Other Distractions
“I think he wants to know what you’re having,” I say.
Brodie nods slowly three times and smiles at Vincent.
“Oh, well, I have toast,” he says, removing a plastic container. “A piece of rotisserie chicken from the grocery and a few nuts and raisins for dessert.”
Brodie’s face scrunches up like he’s just stumbled upon a foul, rotten egg.
“Nuts and raisins,” he says, and his first words in front of Vincent today come out in his usual raspy voice.
“I’ll have you know, nuts have a ton of protein.” Vincent holds up a small container with his “dessert” and offers it up for Brodie’s inspection.
“I have a brownie,” I say, pulling the plastic-wrapped, store-bought confection from my bag. It’s topped with chocolate icing and mini chocolate chips.
Brodie holds up a small yellow bag of shortbread cookies coated in chocolate.
“Yum,” I say. “Way better than … raisins.”
I shoot Vincent a half-smile and wink, and he replies, “Oh, hush. Well, now I’m definitely not sharing.”
Brodie laughs at this, and I’m unsure if Vincent meant it to be a joke.
The three of us sit quietly with the occasional wrapper and chewing noises the only sound as we eat. Brodie and Vincent look at each other occasionally, but busy chewing, they mostly stare at their food until Vincent asks him, “You like LEGO?”
Brodie’s face, focused on his sandwich, lights up, and he nods his head quicker than I’ve ever witnessed.
“Me too. A lot, actually.”
“But you’re a grown-up,” Brodie says with a full mouth.
“True. But grown-ups build with LEGO.” Vincent rips off a small piece of dry toast.
“You know,” I begin, “some grown-ups have a job playing with LEGO. They create all the kits, think of new bricks and concepts. You’d be surprised how many adults spend a good chunk of their time with LEGO.”
Brodie’s full mouth falls open, the contents of his chewed cheese and mayo sandwich visible, and my gaze flits to Vincent, unsure how he’ll take it. But he either doesn’t notice or fails to react.
“Those people are living the dream. Paid to build,” Vincent says, his lips easing into a smile.
“Maybe we could do one together sometime,” Brodie offers.
“I don’t think so.” Vincent quickly shakes his head. “I prefer to build alone.”
Brodie shrugs off the rebuff and pops one of his cookies in his mouth.
“Finish up.” I nod toward Brodie’s lunch. “Mr. Soleskin will be expecting you soon.”
When Vincent finishes, he begins the clean-up routine I’ve witnessed for a few weeks now. After disposing of his trash, he takes wipes from his bag and diligently scrubs down the exterior of every container, his lunchbox, and his section of the table. When the wiping reaches the perimeter of his area, Brodie quickly packs up his trash and bag and hugs everything to his chest. Vincent’s gaze falls on the small boy, and he gives him a hasty smile, finally handing him a wipe. Brodie takes it and feverishly wipes at his area of the table.
“Mr. Lester,” Brodie says, nodding toward my trash. I quickly swipe it up, and Brodie takes a wipe to my spot.
“Brodie, why don’t I walk you back to class?” I extend my hand and Brodie swiftly takes it. With his tiny fingers enveloped in mine like a puppy snuggled in for a nap, we head for the door.
“I’ll be right back,” I say.
Vincent takes a fresh wipe and meticulously cleans every spot on the table. Maybe Brodie was too much for him. But they seemed to connect over their shared love of LEGO. Regardless of where this might be heading, I want to learn more about what makes Vincent tick. Brodie and I stroll down the hallway and a light quiver stirs in my stomach thinking about what waits upon my return.
CHAPTER 15
Vincent
