Page 39 of Promise Me Sunshine

“You’re home early,” I say.

“Yes! I…” She glances at Miles. “Ainsley seemed really bummed when I told her I’d miss dinner. So…”

“I was just seeing Lenny and Ainsley for a little bit,” Miles says. He clears his throat. “Is it okay with you if I…hang out with them a lot?”

OMG. He said he was going to ask her if it was okay, butthisis what he meant? Just casual as hell andin front of me?

“Oh.” She looks stymied. “I’ll talk to Ainsley and Lenny about it, I guess.”

Subtext:without you here looming like Batman.

He seems to glean at least that much and nods. “All right. Okay. Well, see you all later.”

Miles leaves and Reese goes to check on Ainsley. I remember at the last second that I was supposed to get Ainsley’s lunch for tomorrow all set before I leave. I’m just cutting the crust off a turkey sandwich when Reese comes back into the kitchen. She’s changed out of her business suit and is wearing expensive yoga gear again. She snags the crusts I’ve just cut and eats them while leaning against the counter.

“So…this Miles thing.”

“Yeah, sorry about that. I told him to clear it with you but I didn’t think he’d do it…that way.”

“I’msorry…He must have totally ambushed you. And I’m sure you just want to do your job without him hanging around. Maybe I should have put my foot down that first day you came here, when he insisted on staying with you two…but I just couldn’t argue with him about it anymore.”

To my surprise, I feel a tiny prickle of annoyance at Reese. “It doesn’t bother me.”

Reese blinks. Her eyes narrow in confusion. “Oh. I mean…if it’s okay with you…”

She lets it hang there and I know what she’s really saying:Why the hell would this be okay with you?

“He wants to spend time with Ainsley,” I attempt to explain. “And he knows that when you get home from work your time with her is really precious. He doesn’t want to get in the way.”

More blinking. “Well…okay. If it starts to bother you, just tell me.”

I wave goodbye to Reese, shout down the hallway to Ainsley, and then head out, nearly tripping over something waiting for me in the hallway. It’s a Tupperware with a sticky note stuck to the top.Eat this,it says.

What a poet.

Chapter Nine

Life is a sewer,I text him the next day. He said I should call, but…I’m working my way up to it.

Noted.He’s such an empathetic texter.

I’m serious. Life is absolutely terrible.

You’re just now noticing this? This is basic stuff. Life is pain. Duh.

There’s a long pause while I ponder this and then,Wait,he texts.What’s going on?

What?

Why are you texting me about life being a sewer. Something bad must be happening. Where are you.

Nowhere.

Lenny.

Oh, fine. I MIGHT be crying in a laundromat.

Why are you in a laundromat? I have laundry at my place.

---