Page 27 of Lost Little Boy
She did as I instructed until we reached the ground. “Gimma a high five. Good job. Now, don’t climb so high until you’re sure you can come down by yourself. Climb about halfway and practice coming down. Maybe you can help some of the little kids with the steps for the slides since you’re an expert climber now.” She slapped my hand and ran off toward where the toddlers were playing.
“You’re a natural, Mr. Perry. Have you ever thought about teaching?” I turned to see Miss Daphne behind me, having witnessed our little climbing lesson.
“I didn’t go to college. I only have my GED, and college is very expensive. I did go to a career seminar at the community college last month, so it’s not like I haven’t been thinking about it. I like my job because I’m helping people, but unclogging toilets isn’t my life’s ambition.”
Miss Daphne stepped closer to me as we watched two boys climbing a net ladder. “Did you know the companyhas education reimbursement? If you were to work in the center, say, half-days, the company will pay your tuition for the classes you’d need to take and pay your salary. It might be worth looking into. I’ll be happy to write a recommendation to Human Resources on your behalf.”
That sparked a memory of my first day at Grassley Industries. I had to sit with Miss Wintz for hours going over all the insurance, state, and federal tax paperwork. She briefly skimmed the employee handbook, putting sticky tabs on the pages about sick time, vacation time, comp time if I was required to work on a special project, and overtime pay.
I vaguely remembered her mentioning education reimbursement, but at the time, I didn’t care because I had no intention of going to college.Oh, how things changed in a year!
“That’s a good idea. I’ll check into it. I was thinking of taking some summer classes to see if anything interests me.” I didn’t go into how I had no idea what I’d do for a job if I wasn’t a janitor. My thoughts about my future were changing, and I had a lot of thinking to do. I also wanted to talk to Daddy about it. He was wise and would have lots of suggestions, I was sure.
I had a blast pushing some of the little ones in the toddler swings. Everyone sat down at the picnic table toeat some fruit snacks and crackers, and then we all held hands and walked back to the center at four thirty. I was exhausted, as were a few of the kids, but everyone had fun. I couldn’t wait to tell Wex. It was one of the best days I’d ever had.
At six o’clock, Wex came into the center with a big smile on his face. All the kids and the other two teachers’ aides had left for the day, and I was helping Miss Daphne put everything away so we were ready for Monday morning.
“Good evening, Wex. How as your day?” Daphne set the dolls on a shelf, examining a torn dress on one.
“It was good. How about you two. How was your field trip?” Wex asked as he picked up three small metal cars and put them into the box near where I was crawling around to take apart the race car track that I’d put together when we got back to the center. The older kids took turns racing each other, and Daphne had said she’d never seen them agree to share and take turns as they did with me. I wasn’t sure if she was telling me the truth, but it was nice to hear.
“It was wonderful. Mr. Perry was a tremendous help to us, and the kids love him. I told him if he’s interested, the company offers education reimbursement for classes related to your job family. If HR does as I’ve asked, he’ll be a part-time employee here in the center, and he couldtake some classes for preschool education in the evenings if he wanted.”
I glanced at Wex to see a smirk on his face, telling me something was up. I wasn’t sure what, but I got the feeling he’d had a hand in my afternoon adventure with the kids. Would I be heartbroken if I found out it was his doing and not my good luck that everything came together at once? I had a feeling I wouldn’t.
I put the orange racing track in the case and began to stand when Wex’s hand was extended to me. I let him help me up and put the track case on the shelf, before turning to face the two of them. “I’m not saying I would or wouldn’t pursue education as a career. I need to know more about it, plus, I’m not formally an employee of the center yet. Cinderella’s gotta go home from the ball.” I tried to make a joke out of it, but I was immediately saddened that I wouldn’t get to play with the kids again as I had that afternoon.
“Well, gentlemen, I need to get going. I have plans tonight.” Daphne went into the office and came back with her purse.
“I need to get my coveralls to wash over the weekend,” I said.
Wex nodded. “I’ll come with you since I’m giving you a ride. Daphne, have a great weekend.”
She gave me a hug. “We’ll talk on Monday. Thank you for all your help today. You were great.”
I went to the supply closet to get my coveralls, expecting Wex to wait for me outside the small space, but when I turned, he had closed the door and was standing in front of it, hands on his hips. “So, can I have a kiss, sweet boy?”
I didn’t hesitate to wrap my arms around his shoulders and invade his mouth with my tongue. He’d been so patient with me, and it was time I showed him that I adored him.
When I broke the kiss, he smirked. “I knew you were into me. I wondered how long it would take you to admit it.”
I put my rough hands on both sides of his face and pecked his lips before I stepped back to stuff my coveralls in my backpack. “I think you had a hand in what happened today, but I don’t want to know what you did. I prefer to think Lady Luck is finally smiling on me.” I fished my keys out of the coverall pocket to lock the closet door, and I turned off the lights.
“As adorable as you are, I can’t imagine how Lady Luck doesn’t smile on you all the time. Did you eat lunch today? You didn’t answer me when I asked in my text, and I didn’t want to badger you.”
“Uh, I had some cheese and peanut butter crackers. I didn’t have time to make lunch this morning. Now, can we talk about the apartment?”
I locked the door and shoved my keys into my shorts pocket as we walked to the stairway leading to the parking garage. Wex put his hand at the small of my back before he lifted the bottom of my untucked T-shirt and put his warm palm on my bare skin. I didn’t pull away. It felt special.
“I missed having lunch with you. I got a tuna sandwich from the shop across the street and ended up giving it to Barbara, my dad’s assistant, because she had to work through her lunch hour on stuff for Dad. Wanna stop for something on the way home? We can go to Social and get something to eat and a drink if you want.” I glanced at him seeing how hopeful he looked.
I stopped on the stairs. “We need to make some rules, Daddy. I want to try this, but there have to be some boundaries, right?”
He gave me a toothy grin. “Yes, sweet boy, there need to be rules. We can talk about them while we eat.”
We dropped my backpack off inside his car…Huh?“Where’s the truck?”
“Nance drove my car to work, so I ran your things over to the corporate apartment and we traded vehicles whenshe was ready to leave for the day. I’m thinking of flying up to New York and driving my other car down to trade for an SUV. The apartment has two parking spaces, so maybe it’s not a bad idea. We’ll need an SUV to go to Luray for camp anyway. You wanna fly up to New York and drive back with me?”
