Page 42 of Just a Distraction

What I’m actually tempted to do is to log on to the serial fiction site and see if my latest submission forZehmahas gotten any traffic. The last one I put up had over a hundred thousand reads and almost ten thousand comments from readers. Things like “Please write these faster,” and “Best fantasy serial I’ve read in a long time.” I’ve revamped my query letter to reflect these things. Hopefully that will convince a big agent to take a chance on me.And if it doesn’t, and they don’t take notice of me until after I get my MFA in creative writing? Well, I’ll have to be okay with that.

But I quickly forget all about that when I see Rose, purse banging against her hip, making a beeline for Childcare. I’m sure since she’s been away from her son all day, she’s anxious to see him. She nods at me, a whiff of a smile on her lips as she passes the front desk.

I hear her lyrical voice as the top half of the Dutch door to Childcare opens and she says hello to the babysitters, like they’re old friends.

“Callum!” she cries as she reaches across the small wooden base of the bottom half of the door. One of the staff members hands her a device, she signs Callum out, and then one of the babysitters passes him through the door. He snuggles against her chest. After a moment, he draws his head up and places both hands on her cheeks and gives her a big smooch.

It’s freaking adorable.

And frankly, I do not blame him.

I try not to stare too much as she gathers the diaper bag and Callum wriggles out of her grasp. She holds his hand as he takes waddling steps towards the front doors. Her smile in my direction is small but pointed. She lifts her hand in a wave. It’s all the signal I need.

“Rose,” I say, a little breathless with pleasure before I reach her.

“Hi, Milo.” She glances down at Callum and reaches over to smooth his staticky soft hair with her other hand. “Uh, how are you?”

“I’m doing well. How are you?” I glance at Callum, but I know she’s hesitant to have me meet him, so I take a step back, my hands lightly clasped behind my back. I don’t blame her. But I also don’t want her to think Idon’twant to meet him.

“Fine,” she says absently, brushing her hand along Callum’s cheek. He turns and stares, then looks up at his mom, pointing at me.

“You want to meet him?” she asks Callum. Her gaze telegraphs panic before it zips to the floor.

I raise a hand. “I understand that you don’t want that,” I assure her.

“I don’t want him to get attached.” She shakes her head.

I swallow hard. “Of course!” My smile feels tight against my face.

But Callum has other plans. He takes a step back, makes a motor noise with his mouth, and charges me, bumping into me and wrapping his arms around both of my legs.

“Callum! I’m sorry, Milo.” She reaches to try to peel him off of my legs, but he won’t let go. His protests turn into a shriek.

“It’s okay. I don’t mind the tackle. He’s strong.”

She gives me an apologetic look. “Callum, step away from the nice man, okay?” She laughs.

We share a glance before she turns around and gently guides him back towards the door. A group of several people enter, carrying luggage, and Rose has to direct him out of their way.

I wouldn’t mind talking with him, but I’m good with whatever she needs. I know she’s careful with who she allows to be around him.

Once the guests have gone past us and reached the front desk, Callum runs in a circle back to me and crashes into me again, making a watery explosion sound with his mouth.

“Sorry,” she says, her brow wrinkled. She chews at the corner of her mouth.

When I take a step back, he lets go of me and presses against her side. Rose walks him over to the sofas near the front desk, smiles, and crouches down on his level.

She pivots toward me. “I guess I’ll introduce you.” Her smile is apprehensive.

I copy her stance but keep a few feet back.

“Callum, this is Milo. Milo, this is Callum. He’s nineteen months old.” She grabs his hand and helps him make a fist. “Fist bump!” she says, and Callum giggles as she guides his fist to reach mine. She makes an explosion sound upon impact and Callum tries to copy her, drool flying from his mouth. We all laugh. She grabs the top of his shirt and pulls it up so she can wipe some of the spit off his chin.

“He’s getting some new teeth, so he’s extra drooly.”

I smile at her before turning my attention to Callum. “Nice to meet you and your drool, Callum. How was your day at Childcare?”

“Good,” Rose answers for him, sitting in the sofa. “He wasn’t too fussy when I dropped him off this morning, which was a huge relief. I can’t stand to see him crying when I have to leave him.”

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