Page 55 of A Little Moore Action
She’s silent, and I get the feeling the tables have turned. I may not want to elaborate on my family issues, but I notice she clams up when it comes to herself and her move back south.
“The job I had after college didn’t work out,” she finally says.
“But there are so many marketing firms in New York. With your education and experience, even just out of grad school, you could’ve gotten a job with another firm.”
She shrugs before taking a large mouthful, finishing her taco and making it impossible for her to talk. Instead, she stands, walks to the nearest trash can, and throws away her wrapper and drink before walking over to a street artist, essentially ending the discussion.
I shove the rest of my taco in my mouth and follow suit, trying not to be annoyed. It’s not like I would’ve opened up to her about the rest of my family had she not had the pleasure of meeting them herself. But seeing as she has, I should just be grateful she still wants to make the most of the two days she gave me instead of running for the nearest subway station.
I need to remember the game plan. Make the day and a half I have left so awesome that Bell can’t help but want more. I can uncover her secrets later.
Plenty of time for that.
Bell
“What’s next?”I ask after Chase tosses his taco wrapper in the trash.
He eyes me for a sec, like he wants me to know he knows that I’ve changed subjects, but he’s giving me a chance to answer his previous question. I simply stare back at him until he sighs and glances at his watch.
“I planned on chartering a yacht to sail around on the Hudson.” He slides his phone out of his pocket. “I’ll call and see when they can take us.”
As much as I’d like to try sailing on a yacht, something I’ve never done—because let’s face it, that isn’t something normal people do—I can tell Chase isn’t over the family ambush. Or my lack of forthcoming information. His posture is stiff, and his smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
For reasons I can’t quite define, I need to cheer him up.
Maybe it’s the guilt I’m carrying because I almost bailed on him at brunch. I’m not proud of that. But honestly, if Chase hadn’t hauled me out of the booth when he did, I would’ve crawled over him to get to the door, leaving him to his familial fate. Or more likely, I would’ve lunged across the table and smacked that smug look off his brother’s face.
“I have a better idea.” I link my arm through his and rest my chin on his shoulder.
A bit of his smile creeps up to his eyes. “Is that so?”
I nod, my chin moving up and down on his arm. “Trust me, you’ll like it.”
He narrows his eyes over his smile. I flutter my lashes at him in response.
“Okay.” He chuckles, smoothing his brow. “Lead on.” He waves to the path ahead of us that will take us out of the park.
I reward him with a peck on the cheek before steering us in the right direction, glad the oppressing shadow of family drama and awkward silences are over. In the years since my parents passed, I’ve come to love my solitary life, free from uncomfortable family dynamics. Even when my parents were alive, there hadn’t been any of that. At their age, they’d been too tired or too wise. Maybe both.
Suddenly, I’m jostled to the side.
“Whoa there, buddy.” Chase stops and steadies the young boy who careened into him before squatting down to the kid’s level. “You okay?”
Eyes wide, the kid just nods, his unruly, short brown hair sticking up every which way. He’s about five or six, I’d guess.
“Ethan!” Another kid shouts, jogging over to us. “Sorry about that, mister.” He places a hand on Ethan’s shoulder. Must be his brother. Same eyes, same chin, same wild hair, but a few years older.
“No harm.” Chase smiles, stands back up. The older kid takes Ethan’s hand and leads him back into the park. Ethan waves his free hand at Chase.
“Cute kid,” he says as he waves back, his eyes contemplative.
Looking at the boys, I wonder if Thomas ever looked out for Chase like that. Held his hand. The wistful look on Chase’s face makes me think he might be having those same thoughts.
Growing up, I was jealous of my friends with their many siblings or large Thanksgiving dinner parties. Of course, I also bore witness to my friends being teased by their older brothers, or their parents’ insistence that they share their toys with their brothers or sisters. Those were the only times I felt any sort of win by being an only child.
And today. Today, I definitely felt a win after meeting Thomas. I may not have a cool younger sister like Liz, but I also don’t have an asshole older brother like Thomas.
In the distance, a woman swoops down on Ethan and his brother, giving Ethan a hug before shaking a finger at him. Followed by another hug. Then one for the older boy.
