Page 103 of Tell Me What You Want, Or Leave Me

Eric agrees with his typical seriousness. “Of course I’m happy for him, but I just don’t like coming here.”

“Why?”

“Because I always hated this school.”

“You went here?”

“Yes.”

“But if you studied here and hated it so much, why are you sending Flyn here?” I say, surprised by the revelation.

He shrugs.

“Because Hannah wanted it; she wanted him to study here.”

I get it.

“And in the last few years, the only time I’ve come here has been to hear about Flyn’s bad behavior.”

“Well, it’s about time you came for another reason.”

He’s not very convinced so I bump hips with him.

“C’mon, be happy. After all, Flyn’s very excited we’re both here.”

In the end, he smiles, and I do too.

It’s so nice when he smiles like that!

Inside, the noise is deafening. Flyn guides us to his class. When we enter, the other parents look at us. They don’t know us so I greet them with a smile and place the omelets next to the cake. Flyn takes me by the hand to show me some of his work. We’re appraising it when I hear Eric snort.

“I hate that they’re looking at me like that.”

I scan the room and see what he’s talking about. The mothers are staring and smiling at him. Sigh. I get that his presence discombobulates them, and, instead of getting jealous, I take him by the arm.

“Honey, most of them have not seen a man like you in their whole life,” I say. “It’s normal for them to stare at you. You’re really hot! And if you weren’t my husband, I’d also be looking at you like that. Moreover, I think I would try to hook up with you.”

Surprised by my response, Eric goes to kiss me, but I stop him.

“No way. Behave, Mr. Zimmerman. We’re surrounded by children.”

Seeing him grin fills my soul.

“Will the parents who brought food please take it to the gym?” asks a teacher.

I take the omelets, Eric picks up the cake, and the herd of parents and I follow the teacher.

The place is busy!

This is one hell of an impressive gym. Nothing at all like the gyms in my neighborhood.

“Eric Zimmerman!”

Eric and I turn around, and he laughs.

“Joshua Kaufmann.”

Joshua is a former schoolmate of Eric’s, and he introduces us to his wife, a very well cared for German beauty. She looks me up and down while our husbands talk delightedly, and I realize this cockatoo and I are never going to be friends.

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