Page 36 of Twenty-Three Years of Longing

“That I found a place and that he’d be coming to Tabiq soon. He...he’s not happy about it. I hope he doesn’t give you a hard time tonight,” I said.

“Well, I know just how to cheer him up.”

I rolled my eyes even though she couldn’t see them. “Please don’t tell me more video games.”

“No way. I need to practice more before we play again,” she said. Oh God. Not you too. She continued, “I was talking about chocolate chip cookies. I have a package in the fridge. Maybe when I get off the phone, I will put them in the oven. That with a glass of milk will do the trick.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to be a mother because you do have a way with kids,” I said.

“Yeah. The ones that aren’t mine. I know he will eventually go and live with you. There is no serious damage done with a few nights of cookies and pizza. If I had my own, I’d have to actually learn how to cook or something,” she said.

“There is such a thing as healthy take-out food you know,” I reminded her, laughing.

“Please. Have you ever seen me eat a vegetable or order a salad? The answer is no. Not once in the ten years that you have known me. And I have no plans of ever doing so. See. I would be a horrible parent. They would have poor nutrition,” she said.

I knew better. Kathy had the biggest heart and if she had a child, she would eat veggies just to teach her little one to do the same. But let her believe what she wanted. Someday that would change. She would meet the man who would turn her world upside down.

Like Orion is doing to me.

“I will be prepared to load Joey up on veggies and fruits when he arrives,” I teased. “But seriously, I can’t thank you enough for what you have done for me and Joey. He seems so...happy. Content. That makes it so I can concentrate on my job. But I must admit, I miss you both so much.”

“I know you do, but I was hoping that maybe you and Orion would hit it off and you wouldn't be quite so lonely,” she said and waited for a few seconds. “Funny, you’re not saying much. Maybe that’s because there is something you don’t want to tell me. Hmm. Yup, that is it. You’re keeping things from me. Since when?”

“Goodness, take a breath. I can’t believe you don’t pass out from lack of oxygen,” I said.

“But you’re not saying anything.”

“No one can when you’re talking. If you give me a minute, I’ll tell you,” I stated.

Kathy huffed. “Fine. You have the floor.”

Finally, I knew it wouldn’t last for long once I told her that we kissed. Or that we will be staying at his house. Maybe I will leave those two pieces out.

“Yes, Orion and I have been spending a little time together. He’s actually very nice. He helped me find a place for Joey and me to stay. It’s perfect.”

“Yeah. Yeah. Place to stay. Boring. Give me the juicy details,” she demanded.

“Hey, keep your voice down. I don’t want Joey to hear you,” I reminded her.

“He is in the other room. Now, spill it. Did you kiss? Have sex? What’s the scoop?” She pressured me.

“No. I didn’t have sex.”

“Ah, so you kissed. Nice. How was it? I mean on a scale of, I could vomit in my mouth to I almost came in my pants, which one was it?” she asked.

“It was nice.” Very, very nice. And, yeah. He gets me wet.

“Nice sounds....”

“I know. Boring. But I did meet his brother who I think you would get along with. His name is Mayson. Of course, I don’t know how you would communicate because you both talk nonstop.” And both make inappropriate assumptions.

“Is he cute?” she asked.

Well, that worked. We are off the topic of Orion and onto Mayson. “Tall, dark and handsome. But I think he’s a few years younger than we are.”

“Hmm. How much younger?” she asked.

“Maybe four or five years. Not really sure,” I said.

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